The Killing Fields of Cambodia

In this Bloodlines and Betrayal episode, hosts David Schuman and Steve Cully revisit one of history’s darkest chapters — the Killing Fields of Cambodia. They explore how Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge turned a vision of agrarian purity into a nightmare of genocide. From 1975 to 1979, nearly two million Cambodians were executed, starved, or worked to death in the name of ideology. The hosts trace the rise of the regime, the forced evacuations of cities, and the brutal purges that targeted intellectuals, teachers, and even those who simply wore glasses. Through chilling detail, they expose how a revolution meant to unite a nation instead destroyed it from within — neighbors betraying neighbors, families torn apart, and fields turned into mass graves. Schuman and Cully reflect on the global silence that followed, the lingering trauma of survivors, and the haunting lessons of unchecked power. Ultimately, they conclude that the greatest betrayal was not political, but human — when the quest for purity erased compassion, and ideology replaced empathy. In conclusion, Schuman and Cully frame the Cambodian genocide as a cautionary tale about the fragility of morality under tyranny. The Killing Fields become both a place and a metaphor — a reminder that when ideology erases empathy, humanity itself becomes the victim. As Coach Schuman summarizes: “The true betrayal wasn’t just political — it was the betrayal of our shared humanity.” Bloodlines and Betrayals dives deep into the most high-profile and jaw-dropping criminal cases the world has ever seen. From infamous mob dynasties and headline-grabbing murders to twisted family secrets and shocking betrayals, each episode unravels the dark web of crime, power, and deception that shaped history and captivated the public. Join hosts Coach Schuman and Steve Cully as they dissect the motives, masterminds, and mysteries behind the world’s wildest criminal sagas — where loyalty is deadly, truth is elusive, and betrayal runs in the blood.