Welcome to The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. I'm Paul Vogelzang, and today, we're diving into the world of high-stakes espionage, relentless action, and a prison break unlike any other.

Our guest is the master of the modern thriller, the #1 New York Times bestselling author Mark Greaney. If you love gritty, edge-of-your-seat storytelling, you already know him—the man behind the Gray Man series, a franchise so intense it leaped from the page to the big screen with Ryan Gosling in the lead role. And now, he's back with Midnight Black, just now out, available February 18, 2025, available at Apple Books, a book that might just be his most harrowing yet.

Imagine a Russian gulag buried deep in the frozen wastelands, a place so brutal that even hardened criminals whisper about its horrors. This is where we find Zoya Zakharova, once a master spy, now a prisoner. And there's only one man insane enough to take on the Russian police state to free her—Courtland Gentry, the Gray Man himself. But this isn't just another mission. It's personal. And the odds? Nearly impossible.

Returning guest, author Mark Greaney is no armchair novelist. He's fired the weapons, trained with special ops, and even flown in fighter jets—all in pursuit of authenticity. His books aren't just fiction, they feel real because he's lived the research.

Today, we'll talk about the terrifying reality behind the Mordovian prison camps, the real-life inspiration for Midnight Black, just now out, available February 18, 2025, available at Apple Books, and why the most dangerous missions aren't always fought with guns. We'll also get a glimpse into the mind of a writer who has dedicated himself to making thrillers as immersive and true-to-life as possible.

So, strap in, because this one's going to be a ride. Please welcome back to The Not Old Better Show, Mark Greaney.

My thanks to Mark Greaney, author of the new best selling book, Midnight Black, just now out, available February 18, 2025, available at Apple Books. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show. My thanks to Sam Heninger and Miranda Heninger for their help, and my thnks to you our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe, and Let's Talk About Better™, The Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast. Thanks everybody and we'll see you next week.