Our first episode begins when Ethan Fox, a freelance investigative journalist, gets a random text from an unknown number asking for him to download an encrypted voice app. Reluctantly, he follows directions. Ten minutes later, his phone rings. Cole Tyler, FBI undercover agent, currently inside one of the most dangerous hate groups in America, needs to talk.

Through their conversation we learn why Cole needs to talk to Ethan, and why it must be from a burner phone while on a hike in the woods. As Ethan digs, his own past investigating hate groups brings the severity of the situation into focus, until Cole reveals a detail that changes everything.

In May of 2025, Ethan Fox, a freelance investigative journalist, was contacted by FBI undercover agent, Cole Tyler, who had recently infiltrated the most dangerous hate group in America. The group was operating in Virginia at The Preserve, a 100,000-acre big-game hunting facility filled with over 1,000 wild Russian boar. But why did Cole need Ethan? By contacting a journalist while operating undercover in a case, Cole would most certainly mark the end of his stellar career in the Bureau, however, given what he had just learned, it was the only option he had remaining. Unfortunately for Cole, his problems were just beginning.

Faction is a fiction serial podcast, written and produced by Ethan Fox in an investigative journalism style. The first season is titled The Preserve. You can find the show wherever you get your podcasts, and you can learn more at www.factionreport.com or on social at @factionreport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we learn more about Cole Tyler, the FBI undercover agent, embedded inside a dangerous hate group, who has broken ranks and contacted a journalist for help. What drives him to keep going? Where is he from? And....most importantly, why did Doc just ask him if he knows how to torture?

This gripping episode will end with an interesting twist. A detail that will make an already unsettling situation for Cole even more dangerous.

In May of 2025, Ethan Fox, a freelance investigative journalist, was contacted by FBI undercover agent, Cole Tyler, who had recently infiltrated the most dangerous hate group in America. The group was operating in Virginia at The Preserve, a 100,000-acre big-game hunting facility filled with over 1,000 wild Russian boar. But why did Cole need Ethan? By contacting a journalist while operating undercover in a case, Cole would most certainly mark the end of his stellar career in the Bureau, however, given what he had just learned, it was the only option he had remaining. Unfortunately for Cole, his problems were just beginning.

Faction is a fiction serial podcast, written and produced by Ethan Fox in an investigative journalism style. The first season is titled The Preserve. You can find the show wherever you get your podcasts, and you can learn more at www.factionreport.com or on social at @factionreport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.