S9 Ep38: Photographing Area 51 with Michał Rokita

Photographer and field researcher Michał Rokita joins Matt to discuss his rare and meticulous efforts to document one of the world’s most secretive military sites: Area 51. From hiking remote peaks in the Nevada desert to capturing panoramic images from over 20 miles away, Michał shares what it takes to legally photograph Groom Lake from public land. They explore the history of the Dreamland Interceptors, the challenges of desert spotting, and the moments he’s witnessed — stealth fighters, unannounced landings, and one night when his presence may have scrubbed a secret test flight. It’s a real-world look at Area 51, far from the conspiracy theories, and the dedicated hobbyists preserving its history from a distance. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Find Michał’s trip reports, photos, and more about Area 51’s history at Dreamland Resort: https://www.dreamlandresort.com/team/michal.html Follow Michał’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@n01_b4_flash-ev5jb Follow Michał on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rallyracingvideo Read Dreamland: The Secret History of Area 51 by Peter Merlin: https://schifferbooks.com/products/dreamland Listen to Matt’s interview with Peter: https://audioboom.com/posts/8434360-the-secret-history-of-area-51-with-peter-merlin Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2c538d YouTube: https://youtu.be/vKIzVXOmnz0 Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fultonmatt.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by Michał Rokita Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.