Reviews
“A fascinating, hugely moving, intelligent tribute to - and exploration of - a tragic event and an amazing life.”
Holbornumbrella via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/13/24
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“Wow, what an amazing tale! I remember hearing vaguely about him many years ago, but didn’t know the full story. Basia rocks as the reporter and narrator. She expertly narrates the story. I was surprised that her primary job was a correspondent, not because the story is bad (it’s not) but because...”Read full review »
SlimShady94501 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/09/24
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“I have to tell you staff members at tortoise that I love your podcast. They are so well done with a combination of facts, opinions, and contributions from experts. I love Basha Cummings’s voice. I I feel that you incorporate so many meaningful things. I was just listening to episode five where...”Read full review »
Hddbdhdbjdbfdbdhf via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/24
“After a single recommendation to listen to a tortoise podcast, I’m now finding myself going through their entire catalogue. Greatly produced and researched and a fantastic alternative to binge over a tv show”
Gamer4571 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/09/24
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“I listened once, then read the Brabazon book, then listened again. Really interesting to think about the characters who choose to go to war zones, and the ethics of journalism.”
emilyldn via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/02/24
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“I have listened to a lot of investigative podcasts. This one sits differently. This reporting pushes to come as close to the truth as possible. Excellent and raw reporting.”
ReneeRaleighNC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/28/24
“No one cares that much about their cousin to get involved to this extent. My feeling is that the deceased young man crossed the line out of desperation, due to the collapse of war journalism. Jeremy is a weirdo and brings nothing to the story other than a feeling of unease. Perhaps narcissism, a...”Read full review »
AR3942 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/03/24
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“I love the story about Chris and the investigative journalism.”
colonyhkman via Apple Podcasts ·
Hong Kong ·
12/14/23
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“So intelligent and honest. This really captures the nuances of war and the people that are drawn to report it.”
janieshuffle via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/11/23
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“20min into the first episode, i wasn‘t sure if I am really interested in this story. Now that i‘ve listened until the end if episode 7, I promise you it‘s worth every minute. Great story, brilliant job by the Tortoise team and something that reminds me of appreciating the job these true old...”Read full review »
sebschae via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
11/26/23
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“So well done - Basha is excellent. Her empathy is extraordinary, and her compassion for Chris remarkable (though somewhat undeserved)
This story follows the death of a self-declared war reporter. With no training nor expertise, he chased the thrill of being on the front lines.”
HoltGurl via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/09/23
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“The story is so so good. I also loved the music.”
Золотоглазка via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
10/03/23
“An all round terrible podcast. The way the lead journalist (Basia) approached the discussion with the ex-girlfriend in Episode 5 was despicable. Grubby and humiliating.
This is a good example of where podcasts that are overproduced go. The story and the angle is everything.
This production is...”Read full review »
MUFC19920 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
10/01/23
“Basia - the lead journalist on this, had me on side until she tells the girlfriend about horrific injuries to her dead boyfriend and implies very strongly that his corpse has been defiled. Records her choking up. Great Podcasting, very emotional. Wow.
Same episode, in response to Basia going...”Read full review »
T.Connell via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/13/23
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“Newsflash: dude suffers consequence of his actions.
Chris seems like he got himself willingly into a situation he couldn’t understand, weighing in where he shouldn’t have and acting recklessly to find something to write about. As compassionately as the podcast attempts to portray him, you play...”Read full review »
M4R1E via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
08/04/23
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“I have a lot of ambivalence with this investigation, which helps make a better podcast. I love Basia, but she's too entrenched with the family to objectively reveal any hidden 'truths'(and wasn't that the point?). I also wonder about the cousin's real motivation to do this...”Read full review »
Liciapru via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/26/23
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“Basia’s sweet pea posh voice is more suited to singing lullabies, I found it grating. Jeremy’s theatrical barytone also took away from my focus. Slow and full of gaps - why suddenly in episode 5 there is an eye witness that we never heard about before? I could tell from the outset that the “essay...”Read full review »
Katarzyna via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/19/23
“That every female podcast narrator (knowingly or unknowingly) imitates Kim Kardashian’s vocal fry is so annoying. The subject is important and interesting but cannot bear the cracking voice. So had to discontinue.”
EMS Amsterdam via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
04/03/23
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“Very good poscast that gives an insight into the wicked world of war zone journalism. The thin line and danger that lurks in the temptation to meddle in the world of mercenaries and military. Much praise for the journalist who went to great lengths trying to find out the truth, which is not...”Read full review »
kkateme via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
03/25/23
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“I found this podcast to be very slow and hard to keep my focus on. It didn’t captivate me in the same way some of the other Tortoise Media podcasts. I made it to episode 5 but didn’t really feel like I was immersed in the story by that point. It’s a fascinating subject and told with care and...”Read full review »
Lunavyre via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/21/23
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“Please listen to this podcast if you’re interested in (war)journalism, questions of truth and conflict zones. It’s in the end about humanity itself. Everyone should listen 🙏”
Lolalalo22 via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
03/15/23
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“Some of this reporting was kind of a mess. I was uncomfortable with how many of the reporter’s conclusions were just her own conjecture without any hard evidence, and I think Chris’s parents might agree - they were very polite talking about how the podcast investigation was agony for them and how...”Read full review »
Xbound24 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/09/23
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“I listened to all of this, it’s undoubtedly a heavy topic and handled deftly by a clearly very talented journalist. That said, i found myself zoning out quite a lot and by the end I just wanted it to finish.”
Melbadog via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/05/23
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“This story is told in a sensitive, yet truthful way and there are so many things to learn from it. The truth is fluid as mentioned in the podcast, and ultimately we hold on to what that particular person meant in our lives. That’s something to behold. He left a strong message and a beautiful...”Read full review »
Lesley0210 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/04/23
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“Really interesting show but it seems like the voices of the interviewees are spliced over top of each other. Someone just seems to randomly start talking in the middle of another person talking and then you can’t really make out what they’re saying. Interesting subject matter though.”
emmyemmemm via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/03/23
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“I’m not often compelled to write a review,but this podcast is an incredible work of narrative reporting, and a must listen for journalist students. The podcast delves into complex themes such as the pitfalls of war reporting and the relationship between a journalist and his subject. The reporter ...”Read full review »
Jax2112 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/01/23
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“So good! Loved the deep investigation and your voice is so pleasant to listen to - really enjoyed this one!”
rc678543901 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/22/23
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“Reporting and compilation was very intelligent. Jeremy’s involvement really added to podcast and the way he carried himself was very courageous.”
Caromall via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
02/08/23
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“But any commentary seems inappropriate. Suffice to say I listen to podcasts to put me back to sleep when I wake in the middle of the night. I haven’t slept for a week.”
Luton Pillage via Apple Podcasts ·
France ·
01/28/23
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“Basia is fantastic as she works with the journalist’s family to try to uncover what happened to Chris. It has given me a greater understanding and appreciation of how difficult a war reporter’s job is.”
Karen MD via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/20/23
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“I was hanging on every word of Basia Cummings, she had me completely immersed. This would have been first time I heard about Chris’s story, but getting to know him and his beautiful family will stay with me forever.”
supper star🤩 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/15/23
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“Just finished listening to this compelling story, beautifully told. I’d never heard of Chris Allen but listened to other tortoise podcasts. The conversations with Chris’s parents was difficult listening but they needed to know what happened to their son, and that added a poignancy to this...”Read full review »
Claire WP via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/11/23
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“Shallow analysis which glosses over the fact that the “journalist” in question was hanging out with thugs and war criminals”
friend from British Columbia via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
12/29/22
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“Perfect-pitch journalism/ storytelling. Balanced reporting delivered with clear sight & empathy. Some beautiful writing. One of the best Brava!”
eszeos via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/27/22
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“For me this was the BEST podcast of 2022. Since finishing this i have been relentlessly trying to find something that compares”
elizbru via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/22/22
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“thoroughly researched podcast, the story is present in a balanced and sensitive way”
junebug357482 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/20/22
“Sensitive, thoughtful and thought-provoking, this is a really special podcast looking into the complicated nature of truth, war and journalism. I was thoroughly impressed with the host’s compassion and storytelling (and she’s got a gorgeous voice).”
Are all nickname’s taken via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/19/22
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“Very well researched . Easy to follow podcast”
Fygkvof via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/18/22
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“I enjoyed this pod cast, very interesting and I believe it was well done.”
Cbertoia via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
12/13/22
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“Well researched, well done podcast.”
Marigoldgold via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/06/22
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“Well put together podcast. Well researched and presented. Definitely complicated and looks like the subject was extremely naive and reckless, and it was his own actions that muddied the waters.”
Quick Quokka via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
12/03/22
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“A truly emotional story told with truth and empathy, throughly enjoyed this”
Kate Abz via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/01/22
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“It’s a cracking podcast from the two episodes I’ve heard. I was really gripped from the start and was binge listening however I cannot play episode 3 and it is REALLY frustrating. So much happens in each episode that I don’t want to jump ahead but I’ve reported the issue and nothing has happened....”Read full review »
iamanearhole via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
12/01/22
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“Very smart”
Lulu Celia via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/01/22
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“One of the most impactful stories I’ve heard in a while. I won’t be forgetting Chris’s story anytime soon.”
TiggaSparks via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/30/22
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