Hope in Darkness: The Josh Holt Story

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American Josh Holt and his Venezuelan wife-to-be Thamy fell in love from three thousand miles apart. Just two weeks after their wedding, there was a knock at their door. In the middle of the night, police from the government of Nicolás Maduro burst into their home and took them captive. Their dream relationship turned into a nightmare.

From KSL Podcasts, the creators of the hit show Cold, comes Hope in Darkness: The Josh Holt Story. This new 12 part series uncovers the harrowing story of the two years that Josh and Thamy spent inside a notorious Venezuelan prison, punished for crimes they did not commit. From the tireless efforts of their families working to get them home, to the inspiring ways they coped while incarcerated, host Becky Bruce and Josh Holt share this story of devotion, determination, and Hope in Darkness.

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Recent Reviews

pleasestayopen

Opinion

I think the story is interesting. However; I hate how the show makes Thamy the wife sound. She sounds desperate and the only reason she married Josh was for security, to go to the USA, and because she had children. He sounds entitled, not thankful he was not killed for being from the USA. He should have considered his safety before going to another country that was listed as caution when traveling to. I’m glad they both survived hopefully they now have a good marriage, less cringey, more thankful! He sounds like a creep whole time he said my wife, my children not once did he use her name.
pdcali38

Enjoyed

Enjoyed listening to Josh and Tammy’s story. Very scary something like this could happen to Americans in a foreign country. Makes one leary to travel to international countries, suppose you just need to choose carefully. So very glad you made it back home, although no doubt with PTSD. The trust you and Tammy had in each other never waivered and here’s wishing you both have a beautiful long, happy marriage and life together. Thanks to Josh’s family, Tammy’s family and everyone else who contributed to this story.
LS3030

Could have been a good story

Really compelling and sad story of what has happened in Venezuela. Also a great story of people coming together to help a US citizen. Josh is pure cringey and hard to listen to - young, immature, pampered and goes to a country going through upheaval, ignoring warnings from friends, family and government, so this is a situation of his own making. He only calls Tami “my wife”. Gross. He calls Tami’s girls “my daughters” after just meeting them. The eldest’s father was still in her life.
Omgsofunnyfromportland

Sexist title

Lazy, misogynistic editing
Discobronco

Hope in the Darkness

I love true stories and this one was told very well. I’m so sorry the Holt family and friends had to go through this. I thought those doing voices did a great job. It was nice to hear Tammy’s voice in Spanish but then have it translated. I wish all the best to the Holt family, those who put their own life on hold/in danger to reduce and friends. I’m recommending this to my friends and family!
nan-us

Loved this podcast

I couldn’t imagine going through what they endured for 2 years. So glad that they are safe in the US now. Our freedoms are precious and we must protect them or we could end living the same kind of nightmare. His mom was a trooper and didn’t give up -RIP. I didn’t realize this had happened so recently. Don’t remember hearing about it in the news.
lp6364

Interesting Facts

The story itself is an interesting one, however this podcast was not the very best. The long pauses during it were annoying. Also, the lady who interpreted for Josh’s wife had a very annoying voice. Just my personal opinion of course!
allie.maverick

Well Done

This is a very well done podcast. I learned a lot and was hooked the whole time.
migney moo

Great story about the evils of socialism

Bring your own supplies to the hospital if you need a knee operation. Goverment taking over every industry and then buildings built poorly structurally unsound . Oil is pouring into the waterways all the oil workers left when the government took over. Uber is capitalism and the yellow cab is goverment run which do u prefer? Don’t give up your liberty for free stuff you will be eating out of a garbage can while Bernie and aoc eat lobster
iluvlucyreruns

Added religious stuff, why?

I get that Josh served an LDS Spanish speaking mission and that’s why he could speak Spanish but why add tidbits in like introducing his mom and pause to tell us she also served a LDS mission? Where were you going with that? Does it become actually applicable sometime? I’m in Episode 8 and I’m still waiting?
DJ-R

Slow and disjointed

I did not enjoy the show. It was slow and disjointed. Had too much of a focus on Holt’s religious beliefs and dug very little into the facts of the story. Kind of boring overall.
Merbles63

Hope in Darkness

This is a great podcast. You must listen to it!😊
Nettie0802

Interesting but Flawed

While the story was interesting, Josh is an extremely difficult protagonist to root for. His whole approach to Thamy’s children really smelled of White Saviorism. He was oblivious as to why the father of Marion wouldn’t be willing to send his very young child to the United States, alone, not able to speak English, to be raised by strangers (Josh’s parents), stating that the father couldn’t understand it would be a “better life” for the child. No regard for how traumatic that could be for the child. Gross.
Ralleatrice

Fine enough

Drawn out and a bit slow, josh is the worst and almost insincere. The whole thing is fine enough to listen to for a day at work. The emotion from the people who helped was genuine and brought tears to my eyes once or twice.
shelb56

Love

Loved this podcast it’s one of the best that I have ever listened to! Great job and a beautiful story! It makes me sad to see people complaining about how the holts handled their situation. You would do the same thing if it was your child and you can’t speak to other peoples choices. Love this podcast so much!
*PlanMan*

No One is Crazier than People

It does not make sense what people are willing to do to one another
arr3aza

Worth it listening

As a Venezuelan myself, I’ve been so curious about what really happened to that couple and I finally got to listen to their story. I’m glad they made it out of there safe, and now can keep going with their lives. I also feel so ashamed for all the things they went through because of the prevailing evil in my birth country. May God help goodness get restored in Venezuela, and bless the USA.
Tacky tack

Well done but dragged on.....

I think this story could have been told in three episodes. I also found Josh unlikeable. He traveled to a foreign country - one of which can be very dangerous for Americans - and then demands that the US government come save him. I wanted to fast forward through most of the parts with him talking.
WWB3084

Very well researched

Finished the final episode today. The first two or three episodes hooked me, the middle dragged on, and the last two episodes were worth hanging in there. The researching was obviously very thorough and I definitely learned something new. The history lessons on sanctions, socialism, and “democracy” in South America were fascinating. The couple featured seemed like nice people who happened to get caught up in the wrong place and time. Hopefully they live happily ever after. If they could make it through at, they can make it through anything. Thamy is ride or die for sure.
Larispie

Interesting story, but a few gripes

I listened all the way through, and it held my attention for the most part. There does seem to be a bit of tone deafness or regressive thinking, as other reviews have alluded to. There is a sense of moral superiority emanating from this family. They feel the need to travel the world to participate in “missions”, but seem to have little understanding of how other countries operate. I was also disappointed that “Pinochet” was pronounced incorrectly throughout the show. Just another example of the US-centric attitudes that are on display here. It’s annoying to me that Becky, the host of this show, is in the habit of leaving 5 star reviews on her own projects. Let your listeners be the judge.
cwh5

Cwh

Good podcast and interesting facts
Twiner78

Network Television

If I wanted to listen to ads, I’d watch TV.
easymac1017

A must listen!!!

A beautifully narrated story. The ability to weave in the historical context of Venezuela’s history, government and prison system with the emotions of the Holt family were not only most informative but extraordinarily heartfelt. Great job!!!
smurfette30276

Such a well done podcast

I was listening every chance I got . Driving, home, work
tiny8987

So many things wrong with this

1. The ads overtake the story. They are at least 5-6 minutes per episode which is ridiculously long. I understand people want money but it will cause listener drop. 2. It was boring. I couldn’t even finish it. It started out very interesting and then became so boring I couldn’t even finish it to hear about how they came home. 3. The translator is awful. She makes Thami sounds stupid and exaggerated which I don’t believe is the case 4. This story focuses only on Josh and “his wife.” It is very centered on the husbands complaints but still makes him appear to believe he owns his wife. Do not listen to this.
PNWise

Meh

The story was interesting but you can’t help but get irritated at both Josh and his wife, as he consistently refers to her. They both made very poor choices and ended up needing the US govt. (i.e., our tax dollars) to bail them out. I really wanted to be happy for them at the end and I was for the fact that they were free but if they hadn’t been so impulsive it would have never happened. And now he’s writing a book?!?
Princess with DreadLocks

Awful Story, beautifully done

This podcast was well done, I binged it in just a few days.
USA Mknitter

Thanks for this podcast

I knew almost nothing about this hostage/kidnap situation. Having lived in Asia with my family (young blonde, blue-eyed Caucasian children) for several years and we all stuck out like “zits”, I am aware of what can happen in foreign countries, the necessity of bribes, and the impact of American diplomacy. I was saddened to learn what eventually happened to Caleb McCarry when he went “to bat” for the Holtzes. It not wise to burn any bridges as it was a years old relationship with Maduro that made their release possible.
Whywontyouacceptmynickname111

Holts are the greatest

Josh and Thamy at the sweetest people and their girls are adorable. I am so sad they had to start life together in this way. And sad for the loss of his mother. This was a great learning experience of what they went through. May they find joy and happiness in the future.
RDListener

Good But Slow Moving

Story was very interesting but they really dragged out the story to make more episodes could have been done in fewer episodes!
SonimaGal01

Can’t finish it

Bailing out partway through episode four. Hadn’t read any reviews prior to downloading and am relieved so many people feel the same as I do. The story is drawn out way too far, ridiculous amount of ads, why doesn’t John call his wife by her name—that’s so condescending.
nashlaw

Didn’t want it to end!

Great podcast! I was riveted! Such an amazing story...well done and well put together.
maverso

Excelente

This was such an amazing story. Heart wrenching and meaningful. The microcosm of reality of a corrupt government and how it impacts individuals. Very well done.
Pattimom74

Awful

Not sure how or why I listened to all of the episodes. Josh sounded like an immature teenager defying all the guidance given to him. He made horrible choices and paid for them dearly. It was impossible to feel sorry for him. The only sorrow I felt was for his mother that died way too soon. I agree with other reviewers: This podcast could have been shortened by 75%. It was annoying as hell that he never called his wife by her name. The interpreters added voice dramatics got really old.
Idiza

The Josh and Thamy Holt Story

I found it a really fascinating story. The translator did have a strange intonation. It didn’t bother me all that much. My only complaint really is that I think Josh's wife Thamys name should have been included in the title of the podcast. This is very much both of their story.
pqrut

Interesting

Listening to this will help you to forget your sorrows and appreciate the blessings you enjoy.
DGCovert

Horrible

A guy thinking with his Dick and bring in unvetted people into our country. Bad move.
StantonMac

Wet well done podcast

The topic was interesting. I liked how each episode was shorter in length than many, making it easier to listen to a complete episode. Parts were very moving. I look forward to Becky Bruce’s next project!
Fluffygooey

Great story, well told

Not sure where the low reviews are coming from. This is a crazy story. So glad Josh and his wife are safe now.
Scadazzle

Compelling, but ruined by translation.

The story is riveting, but the presentation is ruined by the weird intonation of the translator. I stuck with it to the end because I wanted to hear the story, but I found it absolutely grating to listen to her.
Mm-bee

Painfully Bad

This story is all over the place...the speaker just sifts through the story so slow and blah. It’s truly painful to listen to. Could be an interesting & exciting story but this is a total fail.
Mainer1975

Okay Podcast

The story itself is awful and I’m glad that it worked out for them. However, it could’ve been condensed down and the translator is extremely annoying.
bacholtz1

So exciting.

This story was so riveting. I loved how the fabric of the political turmoil was interwoven into the story. Am eagerly awaiting for season 2!
Ghcfgcuvgv

Eager for the next one

Well done and I thought each podcast had plenty of substance to keep my attention and to want to hear what happened next. Some podcasts can be drawn out for an hour and really only have 10 minutes of new information. The story is important for people to listen to since this could happen to anyone traveling to a foreign country that is corrupt. I am shocked that it took so long for them to be released. I would be very disappointed with my home country but grateful for a family that fought so hard.
Nullity

Very good show

Shows what America will be like if we go towards socialism. Unsubbed after 11
BA0095

Skip this podcast

This story is tragic. However, it was presented in a painfully slow and drawn out manner. The interpreter for Josh’s wife was excruciating to listen to. Overall, I would not recommend this podcast.
m deeds ndfndksnnd

This story

People are so judgmental! This was a good podcast the story was so sad and crazy! I’m sorry they went thru that you can’t imagine what it’s like unless you went thru it. So why say anything rude in the reviews maybe he was excited to be out and could say his wife or maybe he referred to her that way in prison a lot and that’s why he said it you do things different in different countries. Dang! And I’m sorry that his wife being more comfortable speaking in spanish and needed a translator so you English only speaking people could understand. Who cares about the voices listen to the story. This story is a warning to what could happen and it needs to be told so if you can’t say something nice keep fingers off keyboard 🙌🏻🙏
K@1z3n_1981*970

Gaping vaj

This story could have been told in a more realistic, honest tone. The longer I listen the more I feel the truth, explanation, narration being dragged into whinny, fake stories. I couldn’t imagine being a prisoner and I know if the story was told with more earnestness and less blown out titty milking it would be better received. It doesn’t feel authentic although I’m sure the true story is good enough to be told as-is.
Tdaw32

Mormonism is mysoginistic/homophobic/racist.

Ughh- the main character?! I can’t even- why does he not call Tammy by her actual name? Objectify much? I feel worried for the little girls in the story.
LGR78

Great podcast but...

The gal who does the translation of Josh’s wife has the most annoying intonations. It sounds so exaggerated, as if she is trying to sound like a stereotype. It’s hard to listen to. It’s grating.

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