The Unknown Podcast – Episode 31 - with Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann

In Episode 31 of The Unknown Podcast, investigative journalists Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann dive into global conflicts, political power struggles, and court drama—delivering their trademark irreverent, no-nonsense analysis.

The show opens with the latest in Ukraine. Volpe reports Donald Trump’s hour-long phone call with Vladimir Putin, which supposedly secured a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure. Luthmann praises Trump for showing leadership Biden lacked, arguing, "Putin’s a psycho killer...but Trump leveraged the geopolitical situation." Volpe counters, reading a headline: “Putin Bombs Energy Plants Hours After Telling Trump He Would Halt Attacks.” He accuses Putin of playing Trump for a fool and sees no real ceasefire. Luthmann insists if Putin double-crossed Trump, "the sanctions Trump would put in would make Biden's look like child's play."

Switching gears, the pair tackle the renewed war between Israel and Hamas. Volpe cites Jerusalem Post reports of Hamas using the last ceasefire to plan new attacks. Both hosts agree Israel must pursue total war. "Like Sherman to the sea," Luthmann says, calling for Israel to “turn Gaza into a parking lot.” Volpe agrees: “Overwhelming force is the only way.”

In their weekly "Elon Files" segment, the hosts discuss Tesla’s stock slide and its sky-high 113 P/E ratio. Volpe suggests Musk’s political alignment and slowing EV sales are factors. Luthmann stays bullish: “Elon’s not making his money off cars, he’s making it off the charging stations." He adds, "You want to virtue signal? Fine. Sell your Tesla. But you’re still gonna charge it at Tesla stations.”

The conversation shifts to judges obstructing Trump’s policies. Volpe highlights a case where a judge ordered deportation planes in the air to turn around. Luthmann calls for impeachment, not just of liberal judges, but of Chief Justice John Roberts: “Criminal negligence. He’s de facto Bush crime family.” Volpe warns it's a slippery slope but Luthmann pushes: “Trump should get Republicans to impeach Roberts—put the black eye on him.”

In the "What the Hales" segment, Volpe and Luthmann dissect a Florida court case featuring attorney Bruce Matzkin and opposing counsel Randall Shochet. The drama includes accusations of antisemitism, a garden vegetable "eggplant emoji" deemed phallic by Shochet, and aggressive emails. Luthmann defends Matzkin’s salty language, calling the penis emoji claim absurd: “I’ve been paid in garden vegetables.” Volpe skewers Magistrate Judge Zachary Bolitho, dubbing him “Magistrate Bozo” for entertaining a default judgment over lawyer insults.

The episode also features explosive police reports obtained from Levy County, Florida. Volpe debunks J. Anon (Jeremy Bryan Hales)’s online claims that he and Luthmann were under police investigation. Instead, records show Hales repeatedly provoking neighbors he has a protective order against—driving slowly past their property while filming and fabricating violations. A deputy writes, “From all appearances, it seems as though [Hales] is trying to elicit a response.”

Volpe asks if this could be cyberstalking. Luthmann argues Hales’s conduct may violate Florida’s criminal libel law: “Knowingly putting out false and malicious information? That’s a crime.” They contemplate reporting Hales to the Lee County Sheriff.

In their “Is It Frivolous?” segment, they roast NFL legend Mark Gastineau’s $25 million defamation suit against ESPN over a viral video clip. Luthmann calls it a “12 on the frivolous scale,” citing Gastineau’s status as a public figure.

The episode closes with the duo mocking Hales’s repeated police complaints—all ruled unfounded. Volpe reads the deputy’s words: “It is peculiar why he would knowingly drive past...instead of seeking an alternative direction.” Luthmann agrees: “This guy’s wasting government resources.”

Throughout the episode, Volpe and Luthmann deliver biting humor, sharp legal analysis, and exclusive investigative content you won’t hear anywhere else.