You’re scrolling through a sea of thumbnails on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and honestly, everything starts looking the same. True crime, celebrity interviews, tech bros talking about AI—it gets old fast. But then there’s the Need to Know podcast. It’s one of those rare shows that managed to build a cult following not by being the loudest in the room, but by being the most consistent about things people actually care about.
Most people found it through the UFO/UAP pipeline. That’s just the reality. When Ross Coulthart and Bryce Zabel teamed up, they weren't just two guys with a mic; they brought actual credentials. Ross is an investigative journalist from Australia who has won Walkley Awards—basically the Aussie Pulitzer. Bryce is a veteran Hollywood producer and creator of Dark Skies. Together, they created something that feels less like a conspiracy theory basement tape and more like a high-end news briefing.
It's weird.
Usually, when you talk about "unidentified anomalous phenomena," people roll their eyes. They think of tinfoil hats and blurry photos of weather balloons. But the Need to Know podcast changed the vibe. It turned the conversation into a matter of national security and transparency. They treat it like a political thriller.
The Secret Sauce of the Need to Know Podcast
What actually makes it work? It's the dynamic. You've got Ross, who is the dogged reporter. He’s the one digging through documents, talking to whistleblowers like David Grusch, and pushing for "disclosure." Then you have Bryce, who looks at things through a narrative and historical lens. He understands how the public perceives these stories and how the government manages the "script."
It isn't just about little green men.
They dive deep into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). They talk about the Inspector General. They discuss the legislative hurdles in the U.S. Congress. If you’re looking for spooky stories to tell around a campfire, this probably isn't it. If you want to know why certain senators are suddenly obsessed with what's flying over restricted airspace, you’re in the right place.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
The show's pacing is erratic in a good way. Sometimes they drop an episode because something massive happened in Washington, and other times they wait weeks until they have something substantive. They don't just fill airtime. That's a huge deal in an era where most creators are slaves to the "weekly upload" algorithm that forces people to talk about nothing just to stay relevant.
Why Ross Coulthart and Bryce Zabel Matter
Let's be real for a second. The "UFO" community is full of grifters. You know it, I know it. There are people who have been promising "big news next week" for the last twenty years. The Need to Know podcast avoids most of that baggage because they lean on journalistic standards.
Ross Coulthart, specifically, changed the game when he interviewed David Grusch for NewsNation. That was a watershed moment. When the podcast covers these events, it feels like an insider's debrief. You’re getting the "story behind the story."
- Ross brings the investigative rigor.
- Bryce brings the historical context (he literally wrote the book on what would happen if the truth came out).
- The production is clean, no-nonsense, and professional.
They don’t always agree, either. That’s the human element. You’ll hear them debate the motives of the Pentagon or whether a particular whistleblower is actually credible. It feels like a real conversation between two smart people who are trying to solve a puzzle.
The Impact on Modern Media
It’s hard to overstate how much this show has influenced the broader news cycle. Before the Need to Know podcast and the reporting associated with it, mainstream outlets like the New York Times or the Washington Post barely touched this stuff without a "winking" tone. Now? It’s front-page news.
The show acts as a bridge. It bridges the gap between the "fringe" and the "mainstream." It’s basically a masterclass in how to take a stigmatized topic and make it respectable through sheer force of facts and evidence-based reporting.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
But it’s not all dry politics. There is a sense of wonder there. They often reflect on the philosophical implications of what it would mean if we aren't alone. It’s heavy stuff. It makes you think about our place in the universe while also wondering why the Department of Defense is hiding the receipts.
Key Moments You Should Know
If you're just jumping in, you've got a lot of catching up to do. The episodes surrounding the 2023 Congressional hearings are essential. They break down the testimony of David Grusch, Ryan Graves, and David Fravor with the precision of a legal team.
They also do "mailbag" episodes. These are great because they actually answer the questions people are asking on Reddit and Twitter (X). They don't hide behind a paywall for the basic stuff, though they do have a premium community for the hardcore fans who want more.
Navigating the Controversy
Is it perfect? No.
Some critics argue that they can be too optimistic about "disclosure" being just around the corner. We’ve heard "the truth is coming" for a long time now. Sometimes the episodes can get bogged down in the minutiae of Washington bureaucracy, which might be a bit much for the casual listener who just wants to see a flying saucer.
However, they acknowledge these limitations. They often talk about the "invisible college"—the group of scientists and officials working behind the scenes. They admit when they don't know something. That honesty is why the Need to Know podcast has maintained its credibility while others have faded away.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
How to Get the Most Out of Listening
If you want to actually understand what’s going on, don't just listen to the latest episode and call it a day.
- Start with the basics. Go back to the episodes where they explain the history of the modern UAP movement (post-2017).
- Follow the names. When they mention a specific person—like Lue Elizondo or Chris Mellon—look them up. The podcast assumes a certain level of baseline knowledge.
- Check the show notes. They often link to the actual documents or articles they are discussing. Read them. Don't just take their word for it.
- Listen for the nuance. Pay attention to when Ross says "my sources tell me" versus "I have seen evidence of." There is a big difference.
The world of the Need to Know podcast is complex. It’s a mix of aerospace engineering, international law, and high-level whistleblowing. It's basically a full-time job just keeping up with the terminology. UAP vs. UFO. Trans-medium travel. Non-human intelligence (NHI). Biologics. If you aren't paying attention, you'll get lost.
The Future of Disclosure
Where is this all going? Honestly, nobody knows for sure. But the Need to Know podcast is going to be there to document it. As we move closer to more public hearings and potentially more whistleblowers coming forward, this show is the primary source for anyone who wants to stay informed without the hype.
They’ve built a community that is genuinely curious and, for the most part, quite skeptical. That’s a good thing. We need more skepticism in this space. We need more people asking "where is the data?" instead of just "do you believe?"
The show isn't about belief. It's about evidence.
It’s about the fact that something is in our skies, and the people we pay to keep us safe are either unable or unwilling to explain what it is. That is a fundamental issue of democracy and accountability. That is why people keep tuning in.
Actionable Steps for New Listeners
If you’re ready to dive into the Need to Know podcast, here is how to handle the firehose of information:
- Download the "Introductory" Episodes: Look for titles that mention "The Basics" or "Where We Are Now." These are usually released once or twice a year to catch up new subscribers.
- Follow Ross Coulthart on Social Media: He’s very active and often shares "breaking" news that eventually becomes a full podcast episode. It gives you a head start.
- Join the Conversation: Check out the Reddit communities specifically dedicated to the show. You’ll find people who have cross-referenced every name and date mentioned.
- Cross-Reference with Mainstream News: When the podcast makes a claim, see how it’s being reported elsewhere. This helps you separate the "insider" info from the publicly available facts.
Stay critical. Stay curious. The "need to know" isn't just a catchy title; it's a reminder that as citizens, we have a right to understand the reality of our world. Whether it's high-tech secret projects or something more "other," the quest for the truth is what keeps this show—and its listeners—going.