Reviews
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“This podcast is really well-done and is fantastic with the story-telling. I greatly appreciate the honest discussions around doing what is needed in the moment to survive, and then struggling with the decisions and complicated feelings associated with the actions you took to survive.
But I will...”Read full review »
fortefiamette via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/14/24
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“The production is there. The story is there. It’s engaging. But then there are moments that give pause. Finally, there’s hardly any effort made to corroborate Aliia’s story. What the heck?! Vice actually did a documentary on her two years ago and they were left skeptical of the whole thing....”Read full review »
Cyclep via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/12/24
“Well done!! I think you could’ve easily done a podcast pinned on truth/fiction but as you mentioned, there is truly no way to completely fact check this. So as your own experience began to shift the objective of the podcast, it grew into a much more intriguing story than I could’ve imagined in...”Read full review »
Maria Elaine via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/04/24
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“Your podcasts are always my absolute favorites! I was literally hanging on every word. Loved hearing about the spy missions. I could listen to the two of you all day long. Please do more seasons! You are a podcast genius!!!”
1sheek1 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/04/24
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“Even though her story sounds incredible, I believe her because none of this sounds too crazy for Russia. Neil Strauss handled the story with utmost respect - letting the victim tell her full, uninterrupted story. I couldn’t stop listening! When is the movie coming out and who’s gonna play Alia?”
Holubyho via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/24
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“Episodes 1-9 had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I love a woman who can take the worst situations and manipulate everyone who ever caused her pain.
Episode 10, though… Just prepare to be completely broken. I saw the ending coming, but that did nothing to prepare me. Aliia Roza deserves...”Read full review »
Ismith91 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/24
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“i couldn’t stop listening. Sometimes i didn’t believe her. sometimes i did. it’s hard to know what really happens… when you live in another “world” another country where you would never be in that situation, it’s hard to understand or relate. i hope the life she lives today is making her ...”Read full review »
gabby1984ww via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/27/24
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“Aliia describing combat in the 2nd Chechen war when she was a soldier
“He (her comrade in a combat zone) touched me, he rubbed my shoulder, and said now. Then he pressed the trigger and he shot the enemy. He said to me it’s simple, now it’s your turn. I saw through the scope, I saw the face...”Read full review »
turk781 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/15/24
“I loved this so much that I binge-listened to the entirety of this harrowing story in two days and probably will listen all over again. The five star review is due to how compelling the story is, and how truly moving it is to hear Aliia describe every gut wrenching experience under a truly evil,...”Read full review »
yrmdt via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/10/24
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“Incredible podcast. Thoughtful, compelling and well handled. What a brave and resilient woman speaking openly and honestly about horrific trauma. Thank you Neil and Aliia. This is one of the best podcasts series I have ever listened to.🙏🏼”
Thoughtful stranger via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
09/10/24
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“This is story telling at its best. Listening the story organically unfold and evolve through vulnerability and trust was beautiful and poetic.
I found many comments disheartening. After all the vulnerability, care, and empathy put into the story telling, it’s fascinating that anyone could focus...”Read full review »
Amwlovesdinos via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/07/24
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“This podcast is heartbreaking, terrorizing, unbelievable - a horror. The tenderness with which the story is told is so kind of the storytellers. I wept. I felt revulsion and I don’t think anyone would ir could of trated this material with mire delicacy and respect.”
coyotechick via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/04/24
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“It’s very well done, informative, suspenseful and interesting. We really enjoyed it.”
Rathcosm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/01/24
“Imagine creating a series of interviews that addresses human trafficking, rape, torture, the mass murder of civilians, and additional atrocities of war as well as psychological coercion interspersed with sexual performance ads, the in the style of James Bond gimmicky soundtrack and other...”Read full review »
lisaanw via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/24
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“Several times I was thinking, “This woman lived a lifetime in 25 years.” I found myself tearing up with her when she describes some of the traumas and her voice breaks. You are so aware, through every episode, of her humanity and the desperation of having to make choices when either way, somehow...”Read full review »
RaeMM2024 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/24
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“This woman life is amazing story. sorry for her pain!”
Great podcast 001 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/24
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“Great reporting, narration, story —everything!”
catemcaran via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/29/24
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“Wow. What an amazing podcast. I definitely started skeptical but then I was quickly swept away in the story and found myself missing listening to her voice. So well done.”
MomOfARedHead via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/28/24
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“It’s not one thing. It’s gender justice and struggle, geopolitical, personal trauma and survival, and f-ing riveting. Could t stop. Cried, cheered, exploded.”
eli98118 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/28/24
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“I’m a big fan of Neil Strauss so was excited to give this a try. I somehow managed to get through 8 episodes before calling it a day. If you even believe everything she is telling him, the format of just her talking for hours and hours becomes quite dreary and hard work. I wouldn’t recommend.”
IndelibleMusic via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/27/24
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“Excellent podcast in describing the challenges and discoveries encountered in producing the series. They should make a movie to get wider distribution of the ideas, goals, experiences, and revelations this podcast covered.”
MN Mark via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/26/24
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“The story is amazing and well done. However, she talks about every women in the military was being victimized by men in some way. If her father was military he would have witnessed this as well. So he would have known what he was sending his daughter into.”
Nabdjendndj via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/26/24
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“This is such an intense and moving story, as fascinating as it is sad. What’s really unacceptable is that such a deeply horrifying topic can be so jarringly interrupted by a gleeful jingle about skincare products or subscriptions for pet toys.
If you have to have ads, for god’s sake get them out...”Read full review »
lolaindigo via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/25/24
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“I couldn’t stop listening to this podcast. Seriously one of my top 5 favorite podcasts I’ve listened to. I’m sad it’s over and could totally see myself listening to it again in the very near future. I even listened to the interview episode, which I never stick around for and found it very...”Read full review »
emannd1990 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/24/24
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“This is such a compelling story told by a fantastic writer. Such an interesting story of manipulation. You see this portrayed in movies but don’t think about it occurring now. Another great series.”
gamor5 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/24/24
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“However, I still have a lot of questions. I’m just not sure how credible she is. For example, after the horrific beating she described toward the end, how did she not require serious medical treatment. The basic premise of a state-trained seductress/assassin is believable, but much of the story...”Read full review »
Nicksfan88 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/24/24
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“What an incredible story! Neil - you are my favorite podcast host and the best story teller. I cannot wait for your next podcast!”
Leslee D! via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/21/24
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“Really enjoyed binge listening to this, fascinating story and well put together”
exitium88 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/20/24
“Going in I thought this was kind of a Russian "lady James Bond" spy story. Wow - couldn't have been further from that; it was a million times better. This podcast is as deep as the ocean. I hope it has helped Elena find some measure of peace.”Read full review »
65AmyD via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/20/24
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“I would’ve bought the whole story if it weren’t for this last bonus episode. The second I hear safe spaces and being oppressed, I automatically think someone is pandering, and then I find out the host was or wrote a book on pick up artists, now it feels like he’s doing damage control and trying...”Read full review »
dougparsons23 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/20/24
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“How can someone who went through these much traumas became an “influencer” millionaire in LA?? Do some facts checking before wasting time here.”
-dot-- via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/18/24
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“The amount of adds at times made me switch off so much and were really broke the flow.”
wennifurcoat via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
08/17/24
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“I literally could not stop listening. Even through the hard parts. This woman has obviously lived an incredible life, through unbelievable hardships. The trauma is real. But you keep saying “but she made it through to tell the tale…” Thank you for sharing the story with us Aliia.”
TKVanSant via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/13/24
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“This whole story had me in shock the entire time. What a strong woman. Thank you for helping tell her story!”
OaksKP via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/12/24
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“Very interesting story. Very well told by Neil who handled everything with the most delicate care during the entire show from start to finish. Impressive podcast host, writer, and producer. Clearly exceptionally talented. The story itself had some extremely sad parts but as a whole her journey is...”Read full review »
Abi22683 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/08/24
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“It seems to me that the entire story is a ploy to get attention or to make a buck. If this woman was truly a agent of the SVR or FSB she certainly wouldn’t be shining a spotlight on herself or the tradecraft she was taught. It feels as though bits of the story is being written as she tells it.”
JJBravo01 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/07/24
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“Is the host believing this yarn? Sounds like a wild fantasy.”
Pod Slayer via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/07/24
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“I found this to be a very intriguing story and slightly less believable as the show went on. I do hate how it ended though. Would love to know more about what happened to her parents, how she ended up here, etc. Overall, a good listen just slightly skeptical of it all.”
WhitneySimps via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/06/24
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“Such a powerful and compelling story of hardships and difficulties Aliia faced as a spy. Yet despite all of these hardships, she sends a message of hope and empowerment to women across the world. A must listen.”
James189034287689 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/05/24
“Very interesting and inspiring story how one can take all the challenges of life and turn them into their Power! Well well Done! Thank you for sharing your story with us!”
Fatima Nasir Bachkami via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/04/24
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“Aliia, your narrative is astonishingly incredible. The manner in which you survived and endured such a harrowing ordeal defies description. Your resilience and indomitable will to persevere are truly extraordinary. I found this audiobook profoundly compelling. Thank you for sharing your...”Read full review »
Hollywoodsherm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/04/24
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“Not surprised the misogynist who wrote a book and led classes about being a “pick up artist” would create a podcast without even cursory research to verify his subject’s claims. It’s well established that she was never a spy and stole her story from the Jennifer Lawrence movie “Red Sparrow.” Vice...”Read full review »
Yukimynaguchi via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/03/24
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“Intriguing….but little journalism done to explore how truthful Aliia’s claims are”
gigi896 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/02/24
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“This story as a woman shatters me to my core. Years of brainwashing, systemic abuse and trauma…..how much can someone take? It paints a picture of what hides in Russia even if there are truths or partial truths to the story. Probably one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to! My hope is that...”Read full review »
Ladylospina via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/01/24
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“Story is good, interesting, but my god how many episodes can you create off of the story? I’m in the middle of the 16th episode and I’ve got a call it quits. Unsubscribing.”
CEmeryD via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/31/24
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“Allia Rosa’s grifting is well known. The host of this show makes zero attempts to test the validity of the story she is telling. He’s not doing even the most basic fact checking, only some hand-waving about how “we know Russia uses seduction spies…”
Letting Rosa spin these tales with zero...”Read full review »
Carlotta_3000 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/31/24
“I can’t believe how popular this podcast has become despite the entire story being disproven as a complete lie to get social media famous (see the Vice documentary). The journalist knows it but apparently doesn’t care… they’re both profiting off this fake story.”
Briesling via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/29/24
“You said it’s the end of her story but didn’t include anything about how she escaped the military or her life after escaping. How can you just say she was hiding something about how she escaped but not elaborate at all?! Sooo frustrating! At least tell us it’s off the record so you can’t...”Read full review »
sabq31 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/29/24
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