‘Speaking of Serial’: Torture, escape and perceptions back home

“Serial,” the popular podcast produced by the people behind “This American Life,” is focusing this season on Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the Hailey soldier held captive for five years after leaving his post in Afghanistan.

In turn, we’re examining Bergdahl’s story and the reporting by “Serial” in more depth. Here’s the newest episode of “Speaking of Serial,” a joint effort of the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio:

This week, we begin our conversation with a pretty challenging topic: details of Bergdahl’s torture and his attempted escapes. Our panelists share their reactions and lingering questions on the third “Serial” episode, “Escaping.”

We also hear from journalist Adam Ashton of the Tacoma News Tribune who shares his years of experience reporting on the military – and his thoughts on Bergdahl’s case.

Future “Speaking of Serial” episodes can be found every Wednesday, for the length of “Serial’s” second season, on SoundCloud or iTunes.

Bergdahl walked away from his unit in Afghanistan in 2009, saying he wanted to draw attention to problems within the military. Captured soon after, he was held for five years by a group affiliated with the Taliban before he returned to the U.S. as part of a controversial prisoner swap in May 2014. Now, he faces a full military court-martial, charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

Each week on “Speaking of Serial,” reporters with the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio will discuss Bergdahl’s case, Serial’s reporting and what happens when an Idahoan becomes the center of international news.

“Serial” itself publishes a new episode every Thursday. You’ll find the latest one here.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "‘Speaking of Serial’: Torture, escape and perceptions back home."