The content of dark arenas includes topics and subject matter that may not be suitable for all audiences.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals participating in the podcast

and do not represent those of audio chuck or its employees.

Information discussed by the host and interview ease includes content related to crimes against children, abuse, acts of terrorism and violence.

Listener discretion is advised.

In a war zone, your chances of survival are measured by this second.

Soldiers train for this day in and day out, but you're not a soldier.

A week ago you were rifling through papers in a stuffy government office building, sipping on stale coffee from a yellowed styrofoam cup.

You were waging war against white collar criminals, not hostile enemies in a sand whipping desert.

Suddenly, you miss your yellowed styrofoam cup.

You think to yourself, what the hell am I doing here in the Middle East?

But you know the answer.

Terrorist attacks on September 11th flattened the middle of Manhattan.

And along with it, Americans sense of safety.

Men and women in uniform scramble around you as dust from the Iraqi desert kicks up.

The constant war of helicopter blades drowns out any of your attempts to talk with these unfamiliar military faces.

Your current orders from the FBI are clear.

Do not engage in gunfire, do not get captured, and do not give up.

Your job is to figure out if and when terrorist will strike again in the United States.

You've gone from domestic to deployed overnight, and there is no going back.

In today's episode of Dark Arenas, we're learning about some of the worst crimes that are born in or find their way into the homeland, as experienced by a career FBI agent.

Retired FBI agent Rich Kolko beams with pride as he sits across from me at his kitchen table. His son is about to graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

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