Beyond Belief Season 7 Episode 18 Opening the Black Vault with John Greenewald

In season 7 episode 18 of Beyond Belief, titled "Opening the Black Vault with John Greenewald," host Jonathan Frakes invites special guest John Greenewald Jr. to discuss his groundbreaking work uncovering government secrets through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Greenewald, a leading expert in the field of government secrecy, explains his journey from curious teenager to respected researcher and shares some of his most explosive findings with viewers.

The episode begins with a brief overview of FOIA and its importance in the world of investigative journalism. Frakes notes that while the act has been in place since 1967, it wasn't until the digital age that researchers like Greenewald could truly harness its power. Greenewald himself appears on screen, explaining how he first became interested in government secrecy at the age of 15 and began filing FOIA requests shortly thereafter.

The bulk of the episode is dedicated to exploring some of Greenewald's most recent and eye-opening FOIA requests. He tells viewers about his efforts to uncover information about the Pentagon's secret UFO program, which was first revealed in a New York Times article in 2017. Through FOIA requests, Greenewald was able to obtain dozens of declassified documents related to the program, which he has shared on his popular website The Black Vault.

Greenewald also discusses his efforts to uncover information about the CIA's controversial MK-Ultra program, which involved experiments on human subjects with the goal of developing mind control techniques. He explains how he was able to obtain thousands of documents related to the program, including disturbing details about the use of drugs, hypnosis, and torture on unwitting subjects.

Throughout the episode, Frakes asks Greenewald probing questions about the ethics and implications of his work. He wonders aloud if it's possible that some government secrets are better left hidden, and whether the release of sensitive information could put American lives in danger. Greenewald counters that the right to know what our government is doing on our behalf is a fundamental right, and that transparency is necessary for a healthy democracy.

The episode ends with Frakes and Greenewald recapping some of the highlights of their conversation, and emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in government. Frakes notes that while Greenewald's efforts are often met with resistance and stonewalling from government agencies, his tireless pursuit of the truth has helped shed light on some of the government's most closely-guarded secrets.

Overall, "Opening the Black Vault with John Greenewald" is a compelling and thought-provoking look at the power of FOIA and the importance of government transparency. Greenewald's passion for his work is contagious, and his insights into some of the government's most shadowy programs are sure to leave viewers talking.