The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome

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In December 2016, a US official in Havana went to the embassy medical centre to report a debilitating and confounding illness. The symptoms included headaches; nausea; hearing loss; problems with memory and vision – and its onset was characterized by hearing… something. A buzzing, hissing, grinding… sound. Soon, a second official came down with the same symptoms. Then a third. Then a fourth. By the time the story went public in summer 2017, dozens of US diplomats, as well as some Canadians, had come down with what was becoming known as “Havana Syndrome.” In this deep dive investigation, journalist Nicky Woolf peels back the layers of one of the most bizarre mysteries of the modern age. The Sound is a story about spycraft, technology, and the brain. It’s a story where, at every turn, you’re never quite sure what’s real and what’s an illusion. It’s a story about how the Cold War, maybe, never really ended. The Sound is a Project Brazen production. For more fearless storytelling, search for the Brazen channel on Apple Podcasts or visit brazen.fm, home to all our podcasts, documentaries and newsletters. At Brazen, we show you how the world really works – from espionage and corruption to deal-making and organised crime, we’ll take you inside stories from hidden worlds. Don’t stay in the dark. Subscribe to Brazen+ on Apple Podcasts or at brazen.fm/plus and get exclusive bonus episodes, as well as ad-free listening and early access to new podcasts. For the latest from Brazen delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters at brazen.fm/newsletters.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://brazen.fm/plus/

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Recent Reviews
  • silaskpipson
    Incredible Work
    From the second the very first episode started, I was hooked. I ended up finishing the entire show in a single day. The sound design is immaculate, and the narration strikes a balance between funny and engaging without also detracting from the seriousness of the topic at hand. Mostly, however, the story itself shines brightest. Nicky and his team took an incredible series of events and somehow made them even more compelling. Bravo to everyone who worked on this show.
  • Dottieminerva
    Fascinating
    Fascinating and well-balanced. Thank you for telling the stories of dedicated public servants!
  • Eddie and Tim
    What an incredible piece of journalism.
    This is an amazing conclusion to a story that impacts the lives of so many people. I listened to an entire different podcast and after the completion I had no idea what to think. Then I found this one and everything is now so clear.
  • HollyBolly B
    WOW
    WHAT AN INCREDIBLY WELL TOLD STORY!! This is a MUST LISTEN.
  • MNfirefighter37
    Very well documented podcast on the subject
    Great listen. Well documented. Very happy with it.
  • five tries later
    Really?
    You guys are like cockroaches! The first episode said that there is no evidence for the battle of Jericho! Really? Wow, I got to say, I am surprised to find communist indoctrination in places like this. But, I get it you’re playing the long game. Sadly, you will not win in the end.
  • B - Mac
    Listen to this one!
    Listen to this podcast about the havana syndrome, skip “the other one”. One of the best podcasts I’ve listened too.
  • LizziSea
    Absolutely riveting
    I’ve been fascinated by Havana Syndrome since I first heard about it. This podcast series was simply wonderful. Great historical information; well-introduced characters; good music and other sound components. Clearly incredibly well researched. I’ve recommended this to numerous friends already.
  • Smiling Skeptic
    The podcast is determined to ignore Occam’s Razor
    This podcast relates to Havana Syndrome the same way Plandemic relates to vaccine science; it’s dead wrong, and actively misleading. Woolf's insistance that mass psychogenic illness can't explain the initial cases of Havana Syndrome is off base. Every such episode has an initial case or cases which serve as the inspiration for future cases. The first cases didn't need to think they were victims of an attack; that idea jelled after someone noticed a few (probably unrelated) instances of people feeling unwell. After that, people were paying attention to how they felt, and anything that wasn't easily attributable to a known cause became part of the syndrome. Mass psychogenic illness is a near-perfect fit for Havana Syndrome, and unless someone comes forward to demonstrate a microwave weapon that is both surreptitious and able to induce the reported symptoms, no more time or money needs to be wasted investigating this.
  • Callap
    Captivating
    This podcast is haunting. And riveting. Great on all fronts.
  • BklynO
    Riveting report, and the BEST incidental music!
    Fascinating story! And thank you for introducing me to the Atacca Quartet!
  • afgagliardi
    Fascinating
    Well done podcast. Bingeable. Is it a conspiracy, mass hysteria or….crickets?
  • foxsongs
    Oh wow!!!
    Fantastic! Thank you
  • Herrow herrow how low
    Absolutely Brilliant
    Listened to this immediately after listening to VICE’s “Havana Syndrome,” and it was beyond worth it to start this story again from a completely different narrative style and far more access and ethical reporting. I enjoyed both, but this one went much further, didn’t simply elevate a spook and rely on them as a single source. Anyone weighing which one to listen to, choose this one. Although you’ll get something out of both, the other one actually plays the horrific sound so-called “cicada” sound for their intro & ad transition (terrifying), and it’s reporting is far from as thoughtful and thorough and honest as this one. On this podcast, they got in deep. With whistleblowers, with all agencies, fact-checking, bringing in real experts to give their opinions, and they went to Havana and experienced the sound firsthand. The narrator/reporter’s voice is incredible. The sound design is intoxicating. This is the untapped power of podcasting. I could tell they cared about the victims, about Cubans, and about the truth. They pointed out problems with reporting on the so-called “Havana” Syndrome. The only part I personally believe gets left out of every discussion of the mis-named but very real syndrome, are the intentional placement of people who do no have the Syndrome (i.e. individuals like Trump WH staffers claim to have been “zapped” walking right out of the Capitol) used to discredit the very real victims. The cover-up is real. My only wish for this podcast is that far less time and episodes be given to the offensive “psychogenic” “mass hysteria” conspiracy theory that’s literally “it’s all in your head.” That part was difficult to get thru, and slowed down the incredible pacing before and after this weighty “devil’s advocate” twist placed in the middle. I hope more people hear about this podcast. I thankfully discovered it while searching for the VICE one… and even the VICE one didn’t have any marketing, so I was lucky to find either.
  • LCFBroad
    Unveiling the Hidden Truth
    The horrendous effects of migraines, nausea, vomiting, sleep deprivation & tinnitus has plagued my family for years. This documentary is not just for government workers but the families of government or private industry or those who have ties to anyone with enough money to secure this technology. You speak in terms that ‘we’ who don’t want to be named can affirm & agree. Thank you to all the courageous individuals willing to identify themselves & to those sharing this extraordinarily painful experience!
  • No.06235688631
    Hauntingly fascinating
    This show is sooo well produced, the music gives me goosbumps every time those violins come in. The story is full of twists and turns and it is absolutely my favorite podcast miniseries.
  • Moonsunstar24618
    Intriguing
    I am really enjoying this. Some of the narration can be slightly over the top at times, but I love that they are doing a deep dive into this mystery and really explaining all the different theories so well. It’s apparent they did lots of research, and the sound design is really well done as others have said.
  • jcchill
    Smart, captivating, rebellious
    I really enjoy Nicky’s narration of this story. He’s a cleaver storyteller who’s unafraid to follow the twists and turns of this story. Smart and accessible storytelling — worth a listen for anyone who questions the “party-line” headline of any controversial story.
  • 1971kmrk
    Total robbery
    I paid $35— thirty five bucks— to listen to this series, and now each time I attempt to play an episode I get “Something went wrong. Please try again later.” Well, “later” never solves the problem. I was a sucker, but do not make the same mistake I did— it’s a total scam.
  • AryehCW
    Fascinating story told well
    Really enjoying "The Sound" so far. If there's a podcast award for sound design, this should win it!
  • Avoidoid
    Beautiful sound, paper thin story
    This sounds great! The sound design and composition are excellent. But! The narrator is a little flat, and the story is just sort of there. Did Havana employ some sort of mysterious sound weapon against the hapless embassy and CIA workers there? Probably not but the story keeps going back and forth an attempt to make the audience care but I’m sorry to say as of episode 4 I’m not sure that I do.
  • the 'ville
    Intriguing!
    I had read about Havana Syndrome in the past, but the deep dive is a must-listen. Impatiently awaiting the next episodes!
  • Wellwellwellll
    Score!
    The sound design in this thing is very tastefully done, love the music and especially the cicada buzzing in E2. Think this thing is going interesting places, and E1 skeptics - 2 is delivering new stuff for me anyway.
  • Apollonia 6
    Intrigued
    It's pretty good I got hooked and was sad to see I had already listened to the two episodes available. I will definitely be waiting for the next episode.
  • Crane flight
    The cricket theory has been proven
    ask the first victims, who themselves hypothesized the microwave weapons now realize that the noise was crickets and the feeling stress. This podcast isn't providing the suave of perspectives that journalism needs; online media sources cover this debate more thoroughly.
  • Da Bicycle Ridah
    Illness Fakers Department
    They’re all faking it lol
  • Bwtktk
    Excellent!
    The most in-depth, nuanced and humane reporting on this wild story yet!!
  • JinzaiX
    Excellent objective coverage of a sensitive story
    I’m so glad someone is tackling this story with in-depth coverage instead of simply parroting with the State Department says. Looking forward to more episodes and delving deeper into what actually happened to foreign diplomats and support staff while working in an official capacity for the United States.
  • Natemymate
    So far, so good
    First episode is well done and intriguing, but doesn’t reveal anything we don’t already know about this strange affliction and how it started. Looking forward to learning more in upcoming episodes. I’ll definitely stay tuned.
  • Drbranko
    Intriguing. Well narrated.
    I’m looking forward to the next episode.
  • 5 Dollar T shirt
    Amazing
    Everything Max Johnston touches turns to gold
  • Hoshitoo
    Mucho intriga, excelente punto de vista
    Esto es una pieza muy importante de reportaje. Ya deseosa de escuchar el resto de los capítulos para ver qué se desata detrás de este misterio.
  • Jmama14
    Amazing sound design and storytelling
    This is the perfect investigative podcast. Thrilling and immersive but also an eye opening ride
  • RNLorenzo
    Meh
    Not intriguing at all, really hard to get into, poorly written
  • Seanokane666
    so exciting
    A very human take on what has become an extremely buzzy story, with some fantastic production to boot. Love this show.
  • furthermaura
    No one is forcing me to write this
    It feels like I’ve been hearing about this show for years. Now that I’ve listened can confirm it’s worth the hype.
  • BlaineChi
    Really disappointing
    This is so ineptly produced and poorly written. Almost as though it’s the producers’ first time making content for an audience. I was curious why apple put it on their home page but now I get it’s due to its $ub$cription-only content. Don’t waste your time or money
  • Goat Rodeo DC
    Mindbending Project
    I don't think there is podcast out there that feels as inventive with sound as this one. Excellent first episode.
  • Lordmaul1
    Fascinating topic, such a well made show.
    I was intrigued by the topic, but I was sucked in by how well done the show is. Gorgeous and haunting sound design makes this story of a real haunting sound so engaging. Can’t wait to hear the rest of this investigation into Havana Syndrome.
  • podfan!!
    Brilliant work
    you’re going to be hearing and seeing a *lot* of Havana Syndrome coverage in the coming months — this one will take listeners to places they never imagined, uncovering new details from surprising voices that’ll help listeners finally come to grips with this wild story. Also helps that the storytelling, depth of reporting and sound design are top-notch… !
  • adogsname
    Sounds so cool
    Really wild story with some cool production. Huge fan
  • Swimfan255587411
    Excited to hear the rest!!
    I got a preview of the first episode and was blown away — gripping story, serious reporting, amazing sound design and great narration. Can’t wait to see how this unfolds.
  • exochoa
    Would pay $$ to get the full season now
    Too often, the media has focused on doubting the victims and fail to dive deeper into what this phenomenon could mean for humanity. The Sound is an antidote and Nicky is the right person to tell this story. I listen to about 30 hours of audio per week, and I can tell The Sound is a hit.
  • all_things_go_24
    Can’t wait for this
    I got a sneak preview of Episode 1 and am so psyched for the rest. It’s going to be incredible.
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