Artwork for Pig Iron
Society & Culture

Pig Iron

Tortoise Media

Christopher Allen was trying to make it as a war reporter when, aged just 26, he was shot and killed on the frontline in South Sudan. But as news of his death began to spread, suspicion grew. Some claimed he was really there as a mercenary, a fighter. Others said he was a reckless freelancer, in over his head. And there was another question: was he killed on purpose, or was this another accident of war? From Tortoise and the team behind Sweet Bobby, Pig Iron is a dark adventure in war and journalism – and into what really happened to Christopher Allen. 


Listen to the full series today. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access to all our investigative series and daily and weekly shows, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.


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  • 12 episodes
  • Updated Jul 9, 2024
  • Explicit

Episodes12

  • Jul 9, 2024 · 41 min

    Introducing...Dangerous Memories

    Introducing...Dangerous Memories When Sarah watched her 23 year old daughter cycle away from her in Chelsea - a well-off corner of London - she had no idea it would be the last time they’d see each other for 6 years. What would make a loving child from a life of privilege sever ties with friends and family, and disappear? It turns out, Sarah wasn’t alone in losing a daughter. Something strange was happening to other young women, too. And they all had one thing in common: a kind of therapist figure - a woman they were all seeing and sharing their problems, their secrets, their fears with. But it took years for the truth of what was happening behind closed doors to emerge, and the extraordinary things this woman led them to believe. Dangerous Memories is the story of young women who wanted to be healed that became, for us, a story about the healer, and what we risk when we let someone else into our mind, and our memory. The first 2 episodes are out now and released weekly. To binge-listen to all 6 episodes ad-free from today, subscribe to Tortoise+ or download the Tortoise app To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Reporter: Grace Hughes-Hallett Producer: Gary Marshall Additional reporting and production: Imogen Harper Sound design and original composition: Tom Kinsella Theme music: Far Gone (Don’t Leave) by Pictish Trail Podcast artwork: Lola Williams Commissioning editor: Basia Cummings Executive producer: Ceri Thomas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • May 28, 2024 · 33 min

    Introducing...The Gas Man

    Introducing...The Gas Man It starts with a tip-off. It’s the late 1980s and US Special Agent Dennis Bass is warned about a shipment of suspicious chemicals headed to a secret destination. So he follows the lead – and ends up stumbling into a global plot helping fuel a war. The main suspect? The Gas Man. In the decades since, Special Agent Bass has been locked in an international game of cat and mouse with the man who supplied a dangerous regime with the chemicals to make weapons. Every time Bass thinks he’s got his hands on him… The Gas Man somehow manages to slip the net. And he’s still on the run today. But after more than 30 years, could his past finally be catching up with The Gas Man? The first two episodes of The Gas Man are available now, with further episodes released each week. To get ad-free and early access to more episodes today, become a Tortoise member or subscribe to Tortoise+. Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Reporter: Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Claudia Williams Editor: Jasper Corbett Narrative editor: Gary Marshall Sound design: Hannah Varrall Original theme music: Tom Kinsella Original artwork: Jon Hill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Nov 24, 2023 · 3 min

    Introducing...Walter's War

    Introducing Walter's War, a brand new investigation from Tortoise. It’s London, 2012. Oliver is a dashing diplomat. Charlie is a young graduate trying to find her feet in the world. They meet online and she falls in love. With his encouragement, Charlie applies for a job in British intelligence. Then, she receives a text message that turns her life - and her relationship - upside down, and 10 years later, a mystery is still hanging over her. Walter's War is an investigation into what happened next – a journey through big tech and national security, hype and hucksterism, where anyone who can tell a good story can go far. But how much is true? Search for Tortoise Investigates wherever you get your podcasts and follow the feed so you don't miss an episode. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Nov 29, 2022 · 45 min

    Out there | Ep 7

    After one last crucial interview, the team return to Maine and Chris's parents.

  • Nov 14, 2022 · 45 min

    The rope | Ep 6

    Basia tracks down the fighter on Chris's emergency contact sheet.

  • Nov 13, 2022 · 41 min

    Kaya | Ep 5

    The team travels to Nairobi to finally meet the mysterious essay writer.

  • Oct 27, 2022 · 46 min

    The lonely impulse | Ep 3

    Christopher Allen is drawn into the world of the foreign fighters – and tries to make it as a freelance reporter.

  • Oct 25, 2022 · 39 min

    Spring break | Ep 2

    What drew Christopher Allen to the violence of eastern Ukraine?

  • Oct 18, 2022 · 34 min

    White rebel | Ep 1

    An aspiring war reporter is killed on the frontline. Immediately, the story about who he really is splinters.

  • Oct 4, 2022 · 2 min

    Introducing: Pig Iron

    A story about the mysterious death – and life – of a young war reporter on the frontline