Reviews
I think the story is interesting. However; I hate how the show makes Thamy the wife sound. She sounds desperate and the only reason she married Josh was for security, to go to the USA, and because she had children. He sounds entitled, not thankful he was not killed for being from the USA. He...Read full review »
pleasestayopen via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/15/22
Years ago I almost moved to Caracas dating a man for over three years. I find this very interesting and super glad I never moved there in the 80’s.
Kimxyxyalxyzestrer via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 06/20/22
Enjoyed listening to Josh and Tammy’s story. Very scary something like this could happen to Americans in a foreign country. Makes one leary to travel to international countries, suppose you just need to choose carefully. So very glad you made it back home, although no doubt with PTSD. The trust...Read full review »
pdcali38 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/20/22
Really compelling and sad story of what has happened in Venezuela. Also a great story of people coming together to help a US citizen. Josh is pure cringey and hard to listen to - young, immature, pampered and goes to a country going through upheaval, ignoring warnings from friends, family and...Read full review »
LS3030 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/13/21
Lazy, misogynistic editing
Omgsofunnyfromportland via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/08/21
I love true stories and this one was told very well. I’m so sorry the Holt family and friends had to go through this. I thought those doing voices did a great job. It was nice to hear Tammy’s voice in Spanish but then have it translated. I wish all the best to the Holt family, those who put...Read full review »
Discobronco via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/06/21
I couldn’t imagine going through what they endured for 2 years. So glad that they are safe in the US now. Our freedoms are precious and we must protect them or we could end living the same kind of nightmare. His mom was a trooper and didn’t give up -RIP. I didn’t realize this had happened so...Read full review »
nan-us via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/01/21
This would have been better told from the perspective of Thamy rather than him, he comes across so self-centred, all about what he went through without acknowledging what she went through. No question what he went through was horrific but she went through it too and in my opinion worse than what...Read full review »
RD2Shoes via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 05/28/21
The story itself is an interesting one, however this podcast was not the very best. The long pauses during it were annoying. Also, the lady who interpreted for Josh’s wife had a very annoying voice. Just my personal opinion of course!
lp6364 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/07/21
This is a very well done podcast. I learned a lot and was hooked the whole time.
allie.maverick via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/31/21
Bring your own supplies to the hospital if you need a knee operation. Goverment taking over every industry and then buildings built poorly structurally unsound . Oil is pouring into the waterways all the oil workers left when the government took over. Uber is capitalism and the yellow cab is...Read full review »
migney moo via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/26/21
I get that Josh served an LDS Spanish speaking mission and that’s why he could speak Spanish but why add tidbits in like introducing his mom and pause to tell us she also served a LDS mission? Where were you going with that? Does it become actually applicable sometime? I’m in Episode 8 and I’m...Read full review »
iluvlucyreruns via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/20/21
I did not enjoy the show. It was slow and disjointed. Had too much of a focus on Holt’s religious beliefs and dug very little into the facts of the story. Kind of boring overall.
DJ-R via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/02/21
This is a great podcast. You must listen to it!😊
Merbles63 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/10/21
While the story was interesting, Josh is an extremely difficult protagonist to root for. His whole approach to Thamy’s children really smelled of White Saviorism. He was oblivious as to why the father of Marion wouldn’t be willing to send his very young child to the United States, alone, not able...Read full review »
Nettie0802 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/05/21
Drawn out and a bit slow, josh is the worst and almost insincere. The whole thing is fine enough to listen to for a day at work. The emotion from the people who helped was genuine and brought tears to my eyes once or twice.
Ralleatrice via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/05/21
Loved this podcast it’s one of the best that I have ever listened to! Great job and a beautiful story! It makes me sad to see people complaining about how the holts handled their situation. You would do the same thing if it was your child and you can’t speak to other peoples choices. Love this...Read full review »
shelb56 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 12/31/20
It does not make sense what people are willing to do to one another
*PlanMan* via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 12/03/20
As a Venezuelan myself, I’ve been so curious about what really happened to that couple and I finally got to listen to their story. I’m glad they made it out of there safe, and now can keep going with their lives. I also feel so ashamed for all the things they went through because of the...Read full review »
arr3aza via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/16/20
I think this story could have been told in three episodes. I also found Josh unlikeable. He traveled to a foreign country - one of which can be very dangerous for Americans - and then demands that the US government come save him. I wanted to fast forward through most of the parts with him...Read full review »
Tacky tack via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/14/20
Finished the final episode today. The first two or three episodes hooked me, the middle dragged on, and the last two episodes were worth hanging in there. The researching was obviously very thorough and I definitely learned something new. The history lessons on sanctions, socialism, and...Read full review »
WWB3084 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/10/20
I listened all the way through, and it held my attention for the most part. There does seem to be a bit of tone deafness or regressive thinking, as other reviews have alluded to. There is a sense of moral superiority emanating from this family. They feel the need to travel the world to...Read full review »
Larispie via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/06/20
Cwh
Good podcast and interesting facts
cwh5 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/06/20
If I wanted to listen to ads, I’d watch TV.
Twiner78 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/29/20
A beautifully narrated story. The ability to weave in the historical context of Venezuela’s history, government and prison system with the emotions of the Holt family were not only most informative but extraordinarily heartfelt. Great job!!!
easymac1017 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/23/20
I was listening every chance I got . Driving, home, work
smurfette30276 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/18/20
1. The ads overtake the story. They are at least 5-6 minutes per episode which is ridiculously long. I understand people want money but it will cause listener drop. 2. It was boring. I couldn’t even finish it. It started out very interesting and then became so boring I couldn’t even finish it...Read full review »
tiny8987 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/11/20
Listened to all the episodes in 2 days, besides learning about their particular distressing story, it helps to understand better how things work in Venezuela nowadays and what a unimaginable nightmare must be to live there.
Kleine Hexe5359732 via Apple Podcasts · Switzerland · 09/01/20
Meh
The story was interesting but you can’t help but get irritated at both Josh and his wife, as he consistently refers to her. They both made very poor choices and ended up needing the US govt. (i.e., our tax dollars) to bail them out. I really wanted to be happy for them at the end and I was for...Read full review »
PNWise via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/26/20
This podcast was well done, I binged it in just a few days.
Princess with DreadLocks via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/26/20
I knew almost nothing about this hostage/kidnap situation. Having lived in Asia with my family (young blonde, blue-eyed Caucasian children) for several years and we all stuck out like “zits”, I am aware of what can happen in foreign countries, the necessity of bribes, and the impact of American...Read full review »
USA Mknitter via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/16/20
Josh and Thamy at the sweetest people and their girls are adorable. I am so sad they had to start life together in this way. And sad for the loss of his mother. This was a great learning experience of what they went through. May they find joy and happiness in the future.
Whywontyouacceptmynickname111 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/15/20
It feels very stretched out, making exciting subject matter a little slow. Perhaps some would call it anticipation, but I find that barely anything happens in an episode and it could be told in half the time. More time = more ads? It’s still a well told and produced podcast, not slow enough that...Read full review »
Maddison Wendy via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 08/14/20
Story was very interesting but they really dragged out the story to make more episodes could have been done in fewer episodes!
RDListener via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/13/20
Bailing out partway through episode four. Hadn’t read any reviews prior to downloading and am relieved so many people feel the same as I do. The story is drawn out way too far, ridiculous amount of ads, why doesn’t John call his wife by her name—that’s so condescending.
SonimaGal01 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/11/20
Great podcast! I was riveted! Such an amazing story...well done and well put together.
nashlaw via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/11/20
I really enjoyed listening to this podcast, I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster, going from crying to raging to laughing to smiling several times as I heard about Josh’s adventure. I am so happy that it worked out for them. Many people locked up abroad aren’t so lucky.
Sunshinejo1717 via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 08/11/20
This was such an amazing story. Heart wrenching and meaningful. The microcosm of reality of a corrupt government and how it impacts individuals. Very well done.
maverso via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/11/20
Not sure how or why I listened to all of the episodes. Josh sounded like an immature teenager defying all the guidance given to him. He made horrible choices and paid for them dearly. It was impossible to feel sorry for him. The only sorrow I felt was for his mother that died way too soon. ...Read full review »
Pattimom74 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/09/20
I found it a really fascinating story. The translator did have a strange intonation. It didn’t bother me all that much. My only complaint really is that I think Josh's wife Thamys name should have been included in the title of the podcast. This is very much both of their story.Read full review »
Idiza via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/08/20
Listening to this will help you to forget your sorrows and appreciate the blessings you enjoy.
pqrut via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/08/20
A guy thinking with his Dick and bring in unvetted people into our country. Bad move.
DGCovert via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/07/20
The topic was interesting. I liked how each episode was shorter in length than many, making it easier to listen to a complete episode. Parts were very moving. I look forward to Becky Bruce’s next project!
StantonMac via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/07/20
Well researched and produced. Thanks very much to Becky and the team.
Defiesexplanation via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 08/07/20
Not sure where the low reviews are coming from. This is a crazy story. So glad Josh and his wife are safe now.
Fluffygooey via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/06/20
The story is riveting, but the presentation is ruined by the weird intonation of the translator. I stuck with it to the end because I wanted to hear the story, but I found it absolutely grating to listen to her.
Scadazzle via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/06/20
This story is all over the place...the speaker just sifts through the story so slow and blah. It’s truly painful to listen to. Could be an interesting & exciting story but this is a total fail.
Mm-bee via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/06/20
The story itself is awful and I’m glad that it worked out for them. However, it could’ve been condensed down and the translator is extremely annoying.
Mainer1975 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/05/20
This story was so riveting. I loved how the fabric of the political turmoil was interwoven into the story. Am eagerly awaiting for season 2!
bacholtz1 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/05/20
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