• Espionage, Secrets, and Chic in Walmart
    Nov 19 2024

    Michel and Sylvia delve deeper into Sylvia's adoptive parents' enigmatic past, uncovering connections to WWII espionage and figures like Reinhard Gehlen and Wilhelm Canaris. They navigate the emotional challenges of unearthing family secrets, confronting skepticism from friends, and speculating on Sylvia’s mother’s shifting wartime allegiances and mysterious wealth. Balancing the gravity of their discoveries with moments of levity, they share lighthearted anecdotes, including Sylvia’s trip to Walmart. The episode wraps with a preview of upcoming topics, including propaganda, perception, and Sylvia’s mother’s surprising ties to South America.

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    31 mins
  • The Atlantic Clipper Mystery
    Nov 12 2024

    Michel and Sylvia share a candid update from Miami, where an unexpected detour has them diving deeper into Sylvia’s family history. Originally planning to head straight to Europe, they opted for Miami after discovering intriguing arrival and departure records tied to Sylvia's parents, revealing new, puzzling details about her father’s changing nationality during WWII. The duo explores theories about her parents' potential involvement in espionage and their travels under mysterious circumstances, even uncovering an unusual record linking her mother to notable figures on a wartime flight. Between digging into classified documents, dealing with challenges in sourcing information, and addressing cultural biases, Michel and Sylvia confront the complexities and mysteries around Sylvia’s parents' lives—and the lasting impact these discoveries have on her family’s legacy.


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    26 mins
  • Allies, Espionage, and Betrayal
    Oct 29 2024

    Sylvia and Michel dive into a trove of letters from the 1940s that Sylvia uncovered, hinting at a hidden history linking her family to espionage, political intrigue, and complex allegiances. The letters reveal a web involving Sylvia’s mother, an enigmatic figure named Thilo in Ethiopia, and two controversial men: Wilhelm Roloff, a reputed anti-Nazi with ties to German intelligence, and Emil Bürle, a Swiss art collector entangled with Nazi associations. As Sylvia and Michel explore these cryptic letters, they’re drawn into a story of covert alliances, a mysterious cotton deal in Ethiopia, and Sylvia's father’s potential role as an Allied arms dealer.

    Their journey takes a twist when an interview with author Derek Mallet sheds new light on Sylvia's mother’s possible connection to a network of resistance figures, hinting at ties to those behind the July 20, 1944, assassination attempt on Hitler. This discovery stirs conflicted feelings for Sylvia, torn between dark family secrets and whispers of courage within the resistance. With missing documents and heavily redacted records clouding their search, Sylvia feels compelled to uncover the full story, and the podcast teases even more revelations ahead in the upcoming documentary, inviting listeners to share any hidden connections.

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    31 mins
  • No Permits, No Limits: Filming Espionage at the Plaza Hotel
    Oct 22 2024

    Their production crew joins Sylvia and Michel at New York’s Plaza Hotel as they continue to work on their documentary. They introduce key team members—Ken Farrington, Line Producer; Anthony Berenato Jr, Director of Photography; Lucy Pratt, Production Assistant; and Zoie, the crew's mascot. The group reflects on their filming week, discussing the intriguing spy elements of the story, which uncovers classified documents and historical espionage. The conversation touches on the challenges of filming in New York without permits, personal revelations about Sylvia’s adoptive parents' involvement in espionage during WWII, and the psychological toll of keeping such secrets. The team also discusses documentary filmmaking's unpredictability, sharing technical details and personal insights.

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    31 mins
  • When The Sun Goes To Sleep
    Oct 15 2024

    Sylvia and Michel debate American versus Swiss chocolate while the group which includes guest, Producer Ken Farrington reflects on the evolving and ever-changing film industry for indie filmmakers. They discuss Sylvia's superpower ability to sleep, her hikes, and finding peace while contrasting the serenity of nature with the fast-paced world. They share personal stories of near burnout, but also of perseverance and the importance of surrounding oneself with positive collaborators, highlighting the balance between the stress and excitement of filmmaking.

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    32 mins
  • South of France Glamour & Mysteries
    Oct 8 2024

    This episode finds Sylvia and Michel exploring Sylvia's family history, the luxurious experiences at their South of France estate, Medy Roc, and the emotional journey of uncovering family secrets. Sylvia recalls her family's extravagant life, including lavish parties attended by celebrities like David Niven, and famous films such as Diamonds Are Forever being shot at their property. They discuss the privacy and discretion of that era compared to today’s social media-driven world, while also touching on possible covert activities in the area and interactions with political figures like the president of Peru.

    Sylvia reflects on her upbringing, which balanced her free-spirited nature with her mother's strict control, leading to rebellious acts like being expelled from multiple boarding schools. The hosts delve into Sylvia's artistic journey, including her early performances and hanging backstage on tour with the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart.

    As they contemplate taking a DNA test to uncover more about Sylvia’s biological parents, the discussion turns introspective, with Sylvia expressing uncertainty about whether her mother would have approved of this search. There is a sense of intrigue and concern, as they wonder if there are hidden truths or people who might not want these secrets revealed.

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    29 mins
  • She Wanted Me Dead
    Oct 1 2024

    In this podcast episode, Sylvia shares revelations about her father's mysterious past during WWII, including his imprisonment in Austria and possible escape from a camp. She uncovers a troubling letter from her father to his biological daughter, a Jewish woman who collaborated with the Gestapo, betraying Jews and committing atrocities. Despite her actions, Sylvia's father continued to support her financially. Sylvia also reveals that this woman harbored hatred toward her, even hiring a hitman to kill her.

    The conversation explores Sylvia's emotional struggles with her father's choices, mental illness, and the unresolved mysteries of her family. The episode then shifts to Sylvia's mother, Maria, touching on her high-society connections, possible espionage during WWII, and ties to figures like the Shah of Iran. Despite her hidden emotional struggles, Maria’s strength and complexity are highlighted as the episode reflects on her influence in a male-dominated world.

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    31 mins
  • Who is Bobby?
    Sep 24 2024

    The duo delves into Sylvia’s fragmented memories of her enigmatic adoptive father, pieced together from sparse recollections, photos, and her mother’s cryptic stories. She recalls unusual childhood moments, such as having exotic pets in France and being found by military men after wandering off in a Swiss village. They explore her father’s shadowy past as a businessman linked to South American projects and intelligence operations. The conversation touches on his multilingual skills, Jewish heritage, and mysterious first marriage. A declassified CIA document reveals his involvement in wartime textile and shipbuilding ventures, leading to deeper ties to intelligence networks like the Gehlen organization.

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    28 mins