Power, Influence and the Dangers of Being a Target

New Podcast “Targeted” Explores How Systems Can Be Weaponized Against Individuals

Few people ever imagine themselves at the center of an international scandal, but what if being in the wrong place at the wrong time—or simply in opposition to the wrong people—was enough to change everything?

That is the premise behind “Targeted,” a new podcast from Next Chapter Podcasts, set to launch on March 26. Hosted by Zach Abramowitz, a former M&A lawyer turned media strategist, the series dissects the tactics used to undermine, discredit, and isolate individuals who find themselves on the wrong side of power.

“Once you start investigating these stories, you realize just how easily this can happen to anyone,” says Abramowitz. “It’s shocking to see the speed and intensity with which someone’s entire life can be dismantled.”

When the System Turns on You

The series focuses on individuals who have faced a coordinated campaign to erase their credibility, using legal mechanisms, financial restrictions, and media influence to render them powerless. It’s a dynamic that has played out in politics, business, and activism for years, but with the rise of digital disinformation and financial sanctions, the consequences are more severe than ever.

Season one of “Targeted” features a range of figures from different backgrounds, including Jonathan Taylor, a corporate whistleblower who faced legal and financial retaliation after exposing wrongdoing, and Pavel Ivlev, a Russian lawyer forced into exile, and Nathan Law, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist who continues to face threats.

The Anatomy of a Take-Down

Beyond the individual stories, “Targeted” breaks down the mechanisms used in these cases. From freezing bank accounts and international travel bans to media smear campaigns and legal entanglements, Abramowitz and his guests analyze the tactics of those who pull the strings.

“We’re looking at the playbook that keeps getting used over and over again,” says Abramowitz. “What’s frightening is how effective it is—once a narrative is established, it’s nearly impossible to fight back.”

Legal experts, investigative journalists, and financial analysts join the discussion to explain how reputations are destroyed with surgical precision. Whether through the selective release of information, anonymous leaks, or outright falsehoods, the series highlights how public perception is manipulated to serve larger agendas.

Perhaps the most unsettling case featured in season one is that of commodities investor Gaurav Srivastava, who found himself at the center of a targeted disinformation campaign. “One day, you’re dealing with a business disagreement; the next, your name is everywhere for all the wrong reasons,” Srivastava recounts in his interview. A case which underscores the larger theme of “Targeted”: in an era where power is wielded through reputation, losing control of your own narrative can be the most dangerous fate of all.

Listen and Watch

“Targeted” will be available as a video podcast on YouTube and in audio form on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms. The show’s mix of investigative journalism and personal storytelling makes it a compelling listen for anyone interested in power dynamics, media influence, and legal warfare.

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