Inside the Business of Ransom, Kidnappings and Hostage Negotiations

Eyewitness History

Today’s guest has spent much of his career navigating the shadowy world of hostage negotiations, where lives hang in the balance and fortunes are exchanged for freedom. Rob Phayre isn’t just an expert in the field—he’s been on the front lines, directly involved in securing the release of over 800 hostages, billions of dollars’ worth of shipping and cargo, and overseeing hundreds of millions in ransom payments. Some of those operations even hold Guinness World Records for the largest ransoms ever paid at sea.

Rob also brings his expertise to the page as the award-winning author of The Response Files series, including the Amazon bestseller The Ransom Drop, Jungle Heist, and The Insurgency. His upcoming book, How to Deliver a Ransom, dives deep into the real-world mechanics of the kidnap-for-ransom business—a true crime, non-fiction guide to an industry most of us only see in movies.

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to negotiate with kidnappers, deliver ransoms, and bring people home. Rob Phayre, welcome to the show.

To find out more about Rob and his book, check out his website: https://robphayre.com/

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