Havana Helmet Club
Claim This Podcastby BBC Sounds
Podcast Overview
<p>A mysterious energy, so far undetectable, somehow on the attack... US CIA agents and diplomats in Cuba report being assailed in their homes by a strange sound and pressure. When they develop disturbing physical symptoms, fears grow that they are being targeted by a secret directed energy weapon. With no physical evidence, and the highest of stakes as historic US-Cuba tensions begin to thaw, the Americans have to fight to be believed.</p><p>Acclaimed presenters of the hit podcast West Cork, Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde investigate the strange phenomenon known as “Havana Syndrome” - in a series that delves into the clandestine world of global espionage and considers questions about the reputation of science, the corrosive potential of government secrets and the psychology of whistleblowers. </p><p>New episodes will be released weekly, wherever you get your podcasts, but if you are in the UK, you can listen to the latest episodes a week early, first on BBC Sounds. </p><p>Credits Havana Helmet Club is written and presented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey</p><p>Editor: Guy Crossman Story editing: Mike Ollove Producer: Larry Ryan Sound designer: Merijn Royaards Additional mixing: Peregrine Andrews Theme music: Tom Pintens, with additional music composed by Merijn Royaards Fact checking: Stanley Masters. Additional reporting: Isobel Sutton, Pascale Hardey Stewart and Stanley Masters Archive producers: Miriam Walsh and Helen Carr Production executive: Kirstin Drybrugh Editorial advisor: Jesse Baker</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/9/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Havana Helmet Club
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
September 2, 2025
10. The 7th Floor
<p>Arriving into Washington in 2023, Adam plans to officially put his testimony on the US government record – if they will let him – then walk off into the sunset. The past seven years have taken a toll on Adam, progressively broken down by the fight. He is confused as to why his government seems to have turned against him. In his mind, this is his last stand. But as with everything in the story of Havana Syndrome, nothing is straight forward – with the US government and the intelligence community keen to shut the door on the saga.</p><p>In this final episode of Havana Helmet Club, Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey try to pull all the pieces of the mystery together.</p><p>Credits</p><p>Havana Helmet Club is written and presented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey Editor: Guy Crossman Story editing: Mike Ollove Producer: Larry Ryan Sound designer: Merijn Royaards Additional mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme music: Tom Pintens, with additional music composed by Merijn Royaards Fact checking: Stanley Masters. Additional reporting: Isobel Sutton, Pascale Hardey Stewart and Stanley Masters Archive producers: Miriam Walsh and Helen Carr Production executive: Kirstin Drybrugh Editorial advisor: Jesse Baker Commissioner: Dylan Haskins Assistant commissioners: Sarah Green and Natasha Johansson</p><p>Havana Helmet Club is a Yarn production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.</p>
August 26, 2025
9. Squeaky Fans
<p>“A tense environment and a good villain” are the perfect ingredients for mass hysteria, according to psychologist and epidemiologist Professor Simon Wessley. It’s a phrase so toxic, it was removed from the diagnostic manual in the late 1960s. But as neurologist and mystery illness expert Suzanne O’Sullivan explains, “We are all vulnerable. We just need to meet the right circumstance.”</p><p>In the penultimate episode of Havana Helmet Club, Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey investigate high-profile cases of mass hysteria – now known as mass psychogenic illness or conversion disorder - for clues about Havana Syndrome. Could it be the solution to the puzzle, or a way for the CIA to dig themselves out of a hole?</p><p>Credits Havana Helmet Club is written and presented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey Editor: Guy Crossman Story editing: Mike Ollove Producer: Larry Ryan Sound designer: Merijn Royaards Additional mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme music: Tom Pintens, with additional music composed by Merijn Royaards Fact checking: Stanley Masters. Additional reporting: Isobel Sutton, Pascale Hardey Stewart and Stanley Masters Archive producers: Miriam Walsh and Helen Carr Production executive: Kirstin Drybrugh Editorial advisor: Jesse Baker Commissioner: Dylan Haskins Assistant commissioners: Sarah Green and Natasha Johansson</p><p>Havana Helmet Club is a Yarn production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.</p>
August 19, 2025
8. The Cart Before the Flying Donkey
<p>When the Cubans announce an international science conference in Havana, American spies try to nip it in the bud, suspecting a sophisticated disinformation campaign. With politics and bad blood threatening to cloud out the science story, a group of scientists get together and a very different theory for Havana Syndrome is put forward.</p><p>Credits Havana Helmet Club is written and presented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey Editor: Guy Crossman Story editing: Mike Ollove Producer: Larry Ryan Sound designer: Merijn Royaards Additional mixing: Ger McDonnell Theme music: Tom Pintens, with additional music composed by Merijn Royaards Fact checking: Stanley Masters. Additional reporting: Isobel Sutton, Pascale Hardey Stewart and Stanley Masters Archive producers: Miriam Walsh and Helen Carr Production executive: Kirstin Drybrugh Editorial advisor: Jesse Baker Commissioner: Dylan Haskins Assistant commissioners: Sarah Green and Natasha Johansson Archive sourced from NBC and El Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba</p><p>Havana Helmet Club is a Yarn production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds</p><p>This episode was edited and updated on 13th August 2025 to correct two factual errors in the original version, namely that we quote Dr Stephen Hampton not Dr Randal Swanson in relation to the first uPenn paper, and that 'Adam' did not attend Walter Reed hospital in relation to his symptoms.</p>
12 total episodes available
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Intrigue
BBC Radio 4
Crime Next Door
BBC Sounds
West Cork
yarn fm
The Pitcairn Trials
Always True Crime
Tortoise Investigates
The Observer
Uncover
CBC
Deep Cover: Never Seen Again
Pushkin Industries
Bone Valley
Lava for Good Podcasts
Uncanny
BBC Radio 4
Smoke Screen: My Fugitive Dad
Sony Music Entertainment
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network
Crime World
Crime World
The Rest Is Classified
Goalhanger
American Scandal
Audible
Lines of Enquiry
GoLoud
Deep-dive analytics for Havana Helmet Club
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Havana Helmet Club?
<p>A mysterious energy, so far undetectable, somehow on the attack... US CIA agents and diplomats in Cuba report being assailed in their homes by a strange sound and pressure. When they develop disturbing physical symptoms, fears grow that they are being targeted by a secret directed energy weapon. With no physical evidence, and the highest of stakes as historic US-Cuba tensions begin to thaw, the Americans have to fight to be believed.</p><p>Acclaimed presenters of the hit podcast West Cork, Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde investigate the strange phenomenon known as “Havana Syndrome” - in a series that delves into the clandestine world of global espionage and considers questions about the reputation of science, the corrosive potential of government secrets and the psychology of whistleblowers. </p><p>New episodes will be released weekly, wherever you get your podcasts, but if you are in the UK, you can listen to the latest episodes a week early, first on BBC Sounds. </p><p>Credits Havana Helmet Club is written and presented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey</p><p>Editor: Guy Crossman Story editing: Mike Ollove Producer: Larry Ryan Sound designer: Merijn Royaards Additional mixing: Peregrine Andrews Theme music: Tom Pintens, with additional music composed by Merijn Royaards Fact checking: Stanley Masters. Additional reporting: Isobel Sutton, Pascale Hardey Stewart and Stanley Masters Archive producers: Miriam Walsh and Helen Carr Production executive: Kirstin Drybrugh Editorial advisor: Jesse Baker</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.