Targeted Podcast: What Happens When The System Comes For You?

 

Next Chapter Podcasts announced the launch of Targeted, a gripping new podcast that premiered March 26. Hosted by Zach Abramowitz, a former M&A attorney turned strategist and media entrepreneur, Targeted delves into the lives of individuals singled out, sanctioned, and systematically dismantled by governments, institutions, and powerful entities. Combining real-life storytelling with expert analysis, the show blends elements of true crime, investigative journalism, and political thrillers.

The new series is available as a video podcast on YouTube as well as in audio form on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

 Part investigative narrative, part first-person interview, Targeted explores a central question: ‘what happens when the systems we trust turn against us?’ The podcast uncovers the harrowing stories of whistleblowers, political strategists, activists, and entrepreneurs who have found themselves in the crosshairs of those with the resources, willpower, and connections to take them down. From frozen bank accounts and travel restrictions to media smear campaigns and legal entanglements, Targeted exposes the playbook of those who weaponize power—and reveals how easily anyone can become a victim.

 The first season features guests who have lived through this nightmare, including: 

• Jonathan Taylor, a whistleblower retaliated against after exposing corporate wrongdoing
• Aron Shaviv, a political strategist targeted for his work in high-stakes campaigns
• Pavel Ivlev, a Russian lawyer forced into exile after persecution 
• Nathan Law, a pro-democracy activist still facing risks today
• Gaurav Srivastava, a businessman currently fighting a disinformation campaign

Legal, journalistic, and financial experts will also break down the mechanics of targeting, including sanctions, red notices, and misinformation.

 With a background in mergers and acquisitions law and as the founder of Killer Whale Strategies, host Zach Abramowitz has spent his career advising law firms and tech companies on strategy and investments. Now, with Targeted, he turns his attention to exposing the power plays and legal maneuvering behind some of the most shocking targeting cases in recent history. 

Added Zach, "Once you go down the 'targeting' rabbit hole, there's no going back. I was shocked to learn how easy it is to do this to an ordinary person, and the scale of the damage it can do to their life."

I listened to the first two episodes about legal counsel Jonathan Taylor for an energy company who discovers one fateful day that his company has been paying bribes for years to secure energy contracts. As we all know, important people always try to find someone "not important" to blame. Jonathan was the target.

I liked the properly ominous intro music, and host Zach Abramowitz speaks in a neatly-cadenced voice, never rushing the engrossing and disturbing narrative.

Next Chapter Podcasts is an independent podcast production studio dedicated to original, authentic storytelling.  Next Chapter Podcasts include The Ten News, and award-winning Beef with Bridget Todd. Next Chapter Podcasts is also the parent company of Play On Podcasts, the flagship enterprise of NCP’s Scripted division, bringing epic audio adventures to listeners in the form of podcast re-creations of Shakespeare’s legendary plays.

With such a creative flair, it would be logical for Next Chapter to seek out outstanding independent podcasts and make them part of the fold.