Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Introducing: DOUBT: The case of Lucy Letby hosted by Amanda Knox

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

It was a case that shocked the United Kingdom and the wider world. Lucy Letby, a young nurse, was found guilty of murdering premature babies. She was a serial killer whose target was not just the youngest, most vulnerable human beings alive, but also those entrusted to her care. But, is everything as clear as it seems? Host Amanda Knox asks if this case is really as open and shut as the world believes or if – in fact – there is reasonable doubt.

Listen here and subscribe to DOUBT: The case of Lucy Letby hosted by Amanda Knox on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Peter and the Antichrist, Chapter Two: "Guys, Palantir is Evil."

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

To some, Peter Thiel is a philosopher king. To others, he's real-life supervillain. One thing's for sure: this guy is making enormous waves in everything from tech to surveillance and government. In the chapter of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into one of Thiel's corporate crown jewels -- an enormous, shadowy "data analytics" company called Palantir. Tune in to learn why governments and investors love Palantir... and why numerous critics believe this outfit is ushering the new age of massive, inescapable and un-democratic surveillance.

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Listener Mail: AI Psychosis, Middle East Shenanigans, Designer Babies, a New Great Game and More

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:19:09 +0000

In this week's listener mail segment: Hootsifer hips the guys to a controversial "better babies" company called Nucleus. Duane Berry shares a story about the early nights of dynamic gas station pricing. Y2curious replies to the earlier episode about AI psychosis. A Benevolent Dungeon Master asks the crew to consider making a tabletop game for charity.

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Aliens, Abductions and Cover-ups: an Interview with Payne Lindsey

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:56:32 +0000

If you're like Ben, Matt and Noel, you've probably kept a close eye on the tons of UAP/UFO news hitting the airwaves. But what can we make of all these stories? How do we parse the fact from the fiction? In today's interview segment, the guys welcome returning guest Payne Lindsey, creator of High Strange, as he explores some of the weirdest tales in all of UFO in the second season of his hit podcast.

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CLASSIC: Why does the US let Saudi fugitives flee the country?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:48:47 +0000

On August 19th, 2016 Saudi national and college student Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah was charged with first degree manslaughter for fatally hitting a 15 year old girl named Fallon Smart with his car in Portland, Oregon. Two weeks before his trial, he disappeared from the United States. Federal agents suspect he escaped with the help of the Saudi Arabian government -- and it seems he's not the only one. In fact, over the years, it seems dozens of Saudi nationals accused of various crimes in the US and Canada have illegally escaped prosecution, and will likely never see jail time or justice. And the US government hasn't done much to address this ongoing pattern of conspiracy. Tune in to learn more in this Classic episode.

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Strange News: Waymo, Epstein, Freedom Dollars and More

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:54:35 +0000

Robot exorcists. Waymo door gigs. Freedom dollars, Jeffrey Epstein, and more. Tune in as the guys explore this week's strange news.

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Oh, DOGE!

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:32:36 +0000

Despite being neither an official government department nor, arguably, all that efficient, Elon Musks's "Department of Government Efficiency" has made a lot of waves over its short life span. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the origin of DOGE... and why so many people are convinced there's a conspiracy at play.

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CLASSIC: Natural Disaster and Revolution

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The history of human civilization is, in many ways, a history of conflict. Empires rise and fall, countries come and go, and humanity soldiers on. Yet multiple investigations have found a troubling correlation -- it seems not all revolutions are the result of social instability or external rivals. In fact, the natural world itself may be one of history's most powerful (and dangerous) revolutionaries. Listen in to learn more about natural disaster and revolution -- and what this may mean for a world where natural disasters continue to increase.

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How To Resist Interrogation at Home and Abroad

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:31:05 +0000

From World War II through the Cold War to the modern evening, comprehensive research proves you *will* snitch at some point during torture or interrogation. However, through certain approaches, you may deny the bullies and criminals access to harm your missions, dreams and compatriots. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the psychology of resisting interrogation.

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CLASSIC: White Supremacy Infiltrates the Military

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 20:43:34 +0000

The world's most powerful has numerous policies regarding equality -- but how do the policies on paper translate to action? In today's episode, the gang dives into the all-too-often unexplored, ongoing conspiracy taking place within the US Armed Forces: supremacists and separatists are infiltrating the military, often with the active goal of later using their training and expertise to wage war against the very nation they swore to protect.

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Strange News: Trump and Aliens, Andrew Gets Arrested, The Story of Takeru Kobayashi and More

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:38:05 +0000

Competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi (long suspected to perhaps have superpowers) discloses why he retired. Ben and Matt learn that, not to be outdone by former US President Obama, current US President Trump vows to expose evidence of aliens. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested -- but not for the Epstein files. Join Ben and Matt for all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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What is AI Psychosis?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Let's be honest: a lot of people feel like no one listens to them. Wouldn't you love a friend who was always available, praised all your ideas, and supported you in all things? If you ask Wall Street, "AI" technology is amazing. Internet users across the world -- individuals, businesses and even governments -- are leveraging iterations of big data and chatbots for all sorts of stuff. Yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, chatbots in particular may pose a serious mental dangers for vulnerable users. This is the story of "AI Psychosis" -- and, spoiler, this is just the beginning of a larger problem.

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Listener Mail: Lasers, Barack Obama on Aliens, and More

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:33:15 +0000

Does laser technology explain the recent US government airport shutdowns? What did the former President Barack Obama imply in a recent conversation about extraterrestrials? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Big Brother Is In Your Grocery Store

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:50:10 +0000

When’s the last time you picked up groceries? Some of us hit up a local market every week; some folks buy in bulk at a Wal-Mart or a Costco, and some of us just go to whatever's closest. Overall, it's the same old story: you gotta eat. Yet as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in today's episode, it turns out there's more going on behind the scenes. Leveraging big data and mass surveillance, your grocery store now knows more about you than ever before. There's a conspiracy in your grocery aisle, and it could well affect your bottom line.

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CLASSIC: When We Become Our Phones

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:01:29 +0000

It's bizarre to think that -- not too long ago -- the idea of having something as powerful as a smart phone in your pocket would seem like something out of Star Trek. But now these handy devices go with us throughout most of our lives. A steady stream of feel-good chemicals from social media, dangerously convenient ways of buying things through apps, health and location tracking and more. And every piece of data is, somehow, tracked. While it's no secret that companies use information like this for targeted advertising, the true potential of this data aggregation, and the true danger this aggregation poses for society, has only recently come to light. Join the guys to learn more about what happens in a world where you become your phone.

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Strange News: The FAA's Big Whoopsie (or Conspiracy), Epstein Updates, Sketchy Phone Calls

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

With no warning to the public or the local government, the FAA suddenly announced airspace in El Paso would be completely shut down until February 20th -- only to rescind the order less than 11 hours afterward. Cue the conspiracy theories. The guys review some of the recent Epstein revelations, mysterious phone call cover-ups, the story of a mysterious biolab in Vegas, and more in this week's strange news segment.

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What's Happening in Iran?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:49:49 +0000

As global tensions rise and the world order seems increasingly imperiled, the nation of Iran is suffering a massive crisis of legitimacy. A collapsing currency, economic chaos, exploding prices, a water crisis and brutal government oppression have led to an unprecedented wave of protests. The government responded by blacking out the internet, and cracking down on civilians with torture, arrests, live fire and murder. In today's episode, the guys make contact with Conspiracy Realists in the country to learn more about what's really going on in Iran -- and what may happen next.

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CLASSIC: The Mystery of the Kensington Runestone

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Could a mysterious slab of stone near Kensington, Minnesota hold the key to a forgotten piece of ancient history? According to the true believers, this stone, discovered in the late 1800s, proves that Vikings made it deep into the interior of North America in the 1300s -- only to disappear soon afterward, leaving no trace but a grisly story carved in runes upon the stone. Tune in to learn more.

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The Subterranean Secrets of Denton, Texas

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Less than 40 miles or so north of Dallas-Fort Worth, the town of Denton, Texas is famous for all sorts of stuff: its universities, music, and arts scene have garnered it the nickname "Little Austin". Yet as Ben, Matt and Noel discover, the town of Denton is also home to one of the strangest artifacts of the Cold War -- a 1960s-era bunker built to withstand nuclear disaster, and continue the US government after the collapse of civilization. Tune in to learn how this happened, what became of the bunker today... and why so many locals are convinced it's only one part of a secret subterranean world.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Hidden History of Assassins, Chapter Two: The Modern Day

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Almost a thousand years after the reign of the original Order of Assassins, you might think assassination tactics would be universally illegal -- however, that's not the case. Assassination is a valuable tool for both corporations and nations alike. It's also a big business, a web of conspiracies with an at-times global reach, evolving in step with the world's latest technological innovations. Listen in to learn more about assassination in the modern day in the second part of this two-part series.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Hidden History of Assassins, Chapter One: An Origin Story

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:23:36 +0000

What's the difference between an assassination and a garden-variety murder? Where does the term 'assassin' actually come from, and how did an obscure sect founded almost one thousand years ago fundamentally change the course of history as we know it? Tune in for the answers to these questions and more in the first part of this special two-part series.

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The Legacy Program, Chapter Two: How Aliens (Could) Work

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Could the United States really have a multi-generational, 'above-top-secret' operation to retrieve and reverse-engineer extraterrestrial technology? In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deeper in the allegations surrounding "The Legacy Program".

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CLASSIC: Plastics, Microplastics and Conspiracy

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Look around -- how many objects in your immediate vicinity contain plastic? This malleable, durable material has become ubiquitous -- you can find in the depths of the oceans, at the summits of the highest mountains. And, if you're like most people, plastic will be here long after you're gone. Historically, manufacturers have claimed plastic pollution can be solved by recycling... but what if there's something they don't want you to know?

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The Legacy Program, Chapter One: Fact and Fiction

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Late last year, a documentary called The Age of Disclosure captivated the world with its claims that high-level members of America's military, intelligence, business and political circles have -- for decades -- known extraterrestrials visit planet Earth. Multiple sources also insist the United States has a top-secret initiative called "The Legacy Program," which has not only acquired crashed alien craft, but also reverse-engineered some extraterrestrial technology. If any of this is true, it's the biggest cover-up in human history. In this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel separate the fact from fiction.

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CLASSIC: The Flordelis Cult

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:26:39 +0000

Flordelis dos Santos de Souza is a politician and cultural icon in Brazil. For a time, she and her husband Anderson do Carmo were an evangelical power couple - along with their more than 50 adopted and biological children. In June of 2019, Anderson was murdered. The family said it was a robbery gone wrong. The investigators disagree.

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Strange News: The Deep State Wants to Stop Elections, ICE Hunts Children, Weird Shrooms, Iran and More

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:38:54 +0000

ICE hunts children.The guys warn the Deep State is aiming to halt midterm elections in the United States, weird shrooms make people see tiny figures, the guys explore events in Iran. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Is the Entire Credit System a Conspiracy?

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

If you live in the US, you've probably had to work out a weird thing called "credit" -- your credit score, dictated by private organizations, determines a huge part of your life. And, as Ben, Matt and Noel learn in tonight's episode... there may well be a genuine (and dangerous) conspiracy at play.

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Listener Mail: The Nature of Intuition, Canadian Citizenship, Manhole Michelangelo and More

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Chai and Zachsquatch provide crucial feedback on the recent episode about intuition and time travel. Murt shares the story of Iowa's "Manhole Michelangelo," and EJW breaks down Canada's new citizenship laws. Plus the 'Board of Peace' and a special rutabaga song. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore these stories -- and much more -- in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Hidden Radioactive History of Coldwater Creek

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

If you travel out to Missouri, you'll love the views of Coldwater Creek — at least, that is, at first. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel uncover a multi-generational radioactive cover up dating back decades… with consequences that continue in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: The Mind vs. Matter: Feats of the Mystics

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

How much power does the mind wield over physical matter? Could certain human beings, through the force of focused thought alone, walk on fire, lay on nails, and survive being buried alive for days at a time? Listen in to learn more about the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding the famous feats of the mystics.

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Strange News: Strange News: Spy Nuns, Fart Cures, Cow Tools and More

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:22:04 +0000

A scandal rocks Europe as an international group of nuns is exposed as a secret Russian spy ring. You can pay a million dollars for a hotel on the moon. Farts might save you from Alzheimer’s, and cows may be the newest confirmed non-human tool users. The Bank of England is worried about aliens. All this and more in this week’s strange news segment.

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Interview: Rip Current, with Toby Ball

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:28:49 +0000

Have you heard of the California Timber Wars? In tonight's interview, returning guest Toby Ball, the creator of Rip Current, joins the guys to explore the 1990 pipe bomb attack on radical environmental activist Judi Bari. It's a deep, strange tale involving powerful corporations, grassroots activists, allegations of terrorism, COINTELPRO and more. Tune in to learn more about Rip Current… and why this bombing remains officially unsolved in the modern day.

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Listener Mail: Havana Syndrome Backpacks, Tankers, "College Board" and More

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:16:25 +0000

In this week's listener mail segment: SC updates the crew on recent news related to Havana Syndrome. Don Quixote needs someone to talk about these tankers and Trojan Horses. Grady asks about corruption and conspiracy in the world of 'standardized testing,' inspiring an episode in the future.

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Peter and the Antichrist, Chapter One: "It's the End of the World, As We Know It."

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Amid the rarefied air of tech billionaires, Peter Thiel carves a larger-than-life figure in the modern world. To some, he's a philosopher king. To others, a supervillain. One thing's for sure: pretty much everyone is baffled by his continual rhetoric about the 'antichrist' -- so, what exactly does he mean? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the deep, Biblical waters surrounding a man who, according to critics, seeks to upend democracy as we know it.

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CLASSIC: The Reality of Reality TV

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:12:48 +0000

Love it or hate it, there's no denying that reality TV -- also known as unscripted television -- is a titan of the entertainment industry. In fact, if you have cable and turn on your TV right now, you'll probably find a reality show of some sort playing on multiple channels. Most people know this sort of programming isn't as 'real' as it may purport to be... but what made this stuff so successful? Perhaps most importantly: Why do some of its critics allege this content is worse than tacky? Why do some people think it's dangerous?

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Strange News: The US Raids Reporters, the Death of von Däniken and Dilbert, Apps Want to Know if Your Loved Ones Die, and Much More

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The FBI crosses an historic Rubicon by raiding the home of a journalist. Ben, Matt and Noel miss Erich von Däniken. In China, an app renames itself. All this and more in our weekly strange news segment.

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Is Your Intuition A Form Of Time Travel?

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:44:41 +0000

We've all experienced it: a moment of sudden, unexplained certitude: go left, not right, says a voice in your head; stay home from work today, or pause a second longer at this traffic light. For most of us, these small, inexplicable moments come and go. But why do they exist? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore why some radical physicists believe what we call 'intuition' may just be a message from the future.

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Listener Mail: Faith Healing, Christmas Conspiracies, Africville, a Letter from Malaysia, and More

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

It's our first listener mail segment of 2026! The Grease Weasel gives an inside look at faith healing. Bonita C. provides more context on the terrifying hidden history of Africville. Alpha Flight and Betty share strange Christmas stories. Inspired by Noah, the guys vow to do a full episode on oligarchs. William writes a beautiful letter all the way from Malaysia. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The True Story of Tsantsas, or "Shrunken Heads"

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Have you ever heard the story of "shrunken heads"? In the West, a ton of people sadly associate this with their own self-centric pop-culture experiences. However -- as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode -- the ancient practice of creating tsantsas is far more fascinating than any nostalgia reference. Tune in to learn the true conspiracy behind the popularity of "shrunken heads".

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CLASSIC: The Mystery of the Bronze Age Collapse

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:42:17 +0000

It's 2026. Fellow Conspiracy Realists, stuff is getting weird. This inspires Ben, Matt and Noel to return to a Classic episode about the last time a civilization fell: Sometime between between c. 1250 - c. 1150 BCE, civilization as we knew it simply... collapsed. Once-thriving empires fell one after another. Trade routes disintegrated. Literacy plummeted. Mysterious raiders from the sea pillaged city after city. In less than a century, the known world became a distant dream. So what exactly happened? Perhaps more disturbingly, what can the Bronze Age collapse tell us about the modern day?

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Strange News: Venezuela, Food Conspiracies, and More

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:04:13 +0000

Oh, come on! We take a couple weeks off for the holidays, and the world goes nuts? Ben, Matt and Noel welcome you back to the first strange news segment of 2026. Tune in as the guys explore the unfolding chaos in Venezuela and abroad, the debate about the McRib, Uncle Sam's new interest in Russia's shadow fleet -- and so much more.

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The Great US Brain Drain

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Well, folks, the results are in: 2025 was a rough year for American science. Massive funding cuts to research and development aren't just slowing the pace of innovation -- they're also sending thousands of the nation's best and brightest out of the country... and straight into the arms of nations that would love to have them. What does this mean for the future? What does this mean for the families affected? Perhaps most importantly: Why is Uncle Sam hamstringing science in the first place? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the new era of Brain Drain.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Poltergeists: Fact and Fiction

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

In the world of spirits and apparitions, the poltergeist is a unique type of ghost -- one known for its alleged ability to move physical objects (often in violent, unpredictable ways), to target and torment specific human beings and, perhaps strangest of all, to suddenly, one day, disappear. While not everyone uses the name 'poltergeist,' legends of these and similar creatures occur in numerous civilizations throughout history. Some stories are proven hoaxes. But others, the true believers argue, are more difficult to explain.

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National Endowment for Democracy: The New CIA?

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As Ben, Matt and Noel return from a holiday break, they recall a shocking discovery from their earlier investigation into the Atlas Network. What exactly is the 'National Endowment for Democracy'? Why does this... quasi-private, government-funded, global entity have so many people so concerned?

Also, why are so many people calling it 'a new CIA'? We're back, baby! Tune in.

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CLASSIC: Interview: Corruption, Conspiracy and Champions: Crime in the NBA

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The world of professional sports is a multi-billion dollar industry -- and even the most ardent fans may not know what actually happens away from the bright lights and cheering crowds. Join Ben and special guest, journalist Tim Livingston, the creator of Whistleblower, as they dive into the strange, twisting tale of one of the NBA's biggest conspiracies -- a gambling scandal that rocked the industry and, disturbingly, may have reprecussions that continue throughout the sport in the modern day.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Did Milwaukee Police Protect a Child Abuse Ring?

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Earlier this year, two children went missing in Milwaukee. Despite the pleas of their parents and loved ones, the local police did not treat these children as "critically missing," meaning they issued no Amber Alert. Desperate for answers, family members took matters into their own hands, tracing one of the missing children's phones to a duplex in town. Amid ongoing, unrelated protests, more and more citizens of Milwaukee began to believe the authorities were actively preventing a full investigation of the house in question. So what actually happened?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Nunavut Ping

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Officially formed in 1999, Nunavut is the newest and most northerly territory of Canada. This sparsely-populated region is home unique wildlife, ancient culture and, it seems, a mystery. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they unravel the strange story of a bizarre, unexplained sound emerging from the seafloor -- it's allegedly terrified migratory animals, baffled local hunters, and inspired the Canadian government to launch an official investigation (which led to more questions than answers).

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CLASSIC: Have dreams really predicted the future? Chapter II

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Could human dreams really, in some way, predict the future? At first, it sounds like the stuff of science fiction... but the real-life answer may not be as clear-cut as the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster. Instead, it turns out that probability, bias and, perhaps, the bleeding edge of physics may all play a role in the strange phenomenon known as precognitive dreams. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they search for a scientific take on precognition in the second part of this two-part series.

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CLASSIC: Have dreams really predicted the future? Chapter I

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Dreams are one of the most mysterious aspects of human existence, and we still don't fully understand the strange phenomenon known as dreaming. For thousands of years, human beings have taken action in the waking world based on information they encounter in a dream -- and, every so often, people have felt their dreams aren't just reminding them of the past or re-contextualizing the present. Instead, in virtually every culture and in every era of recorded history, people have claimed their dreams also, sometimes, tell them about the future. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they delve into the science of dreams, and the conspiracies our own brains may hatch against us.

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CLASSIC: Could Sea Monsters/Serpents Still Exist?

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:08:52 +0000

Since before the dawn of recorded history, humans have been haunted by rumors of monsters beneath the waves -- and, as time wore on, it seemed at least some of those legends were based in truth. Today's question: could any sea serpents, leviathans or other cryptids remain alive in the modern day? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: What is "Laying On Hands"?

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 01:44:12 +0000

In the ancient days, when medicine and spirituality were inseparable, people often used rituals and invocations to elicit help from divine sources. This practice continues today, through a number of techniques collectively known as faith healing. But what is it, exactly? How does it work? Could mere physical touch from the right person heal otherwise incurable medical conditions? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into fact and fiction of faith healing.

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CLASSIC: You're Getting A Vibe: The Strange Science of Auras

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

For millennia, people in civilizations across the planet have claimed to perceive intangible energy emanating from people, animals, plants -- and even inanimate objects. And, in recent centuries, scientists and mystics alike have sought to explain this phenomenon. As you might imagine, not everyone agrees on what an aura could be -- or whether it exists -- in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: The Dark Side of the Loom, Chapter II: Pollution, Extinction, and the Fashion Industry

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Everyone loves looking sharp - and saving money in the process. But what if there's a hidden cost to all this fast fashion and these trendy cosmetics? In the second part of this series, the guys return to the underbelly of the worldwide fashion and cosmetic industries, exploring how the global production process affects wildlife and spreads pollution -- and what these companies don't want you to know about the ultimate price of that next piece of clothing.

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CLASSIC: The Dark Side of the Loom, Chapter I: Hidden Costs of the Fashion Industry

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

If you're like the vast majority of people, you wear clothes. Clothing is one of the oldest pieces of human technology, and these days it's also a multi-billion dollar industry. People across the planet use clothing and fashion as a means of expression, a way to make a living, and a way to communicate. But, like any other industry of the size, the fashion industry also has a dark side (several, in fact).

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CLASSIC: What is 'Antifa?'

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:56:30 +0000

If you've been watching the news, you've probably heard journalists and pundits throwing around the word "antifa," often in relation to protests. The phrase, a portmanteau of "anti-fascist," has been used to describe multiple groups and individuals. It's become the subject of several conspiracy theories as well - but what exactly is "antifa"? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: What really sank the Kursk?

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

More than 500 feet long and carrying missiles the size of small planes, the giant, nuclear-powered Kursk submarine was an apex predator of the high seas. At least, that is, until it was destroyed in one of the most catastrophic peacetime submarine accidents in history. The entire crew was lost and, decades later, some still believe this 'accident' was no accident at all.

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The Elf On The Shelf Is Part of the Surveillance State!

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:49:32 +0000

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Ben, Matt and Noel have a special, spoiler-filled episode just for you, fellow Conspiracy Realists! You see, something strange happened over recent years: Santa, Rudolph and all the usual characters of Christmas have been joined by a new entity... a little Elf, hanging around your house from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, and reporting your behavior to Santa Claus every single night. At first blush, this is wholesome and delightful. But... why are so many parents, experts and journalists concerned about the Elf on the Shelf? Is the Elf normalizing an Orwellian surveillance state?

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CLASSIC: The True Cost of Gasoline

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

For most of modern history, the world has run on oil. In the US and abroad, the price of gasoline is often the subject of intense concern, and prices at the pump vary widely. The difference of a few dollars per gallon can incite widespread unrest. But there's a question rarely asked: How much should gas actually cost?

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Save The World and Screw The Sun: Weather Modification, 2025

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:54:37 +0000

Remember when chatting about the weather used to be nothing more than small talk? Those days are long gone. As the climate becomes increasingly chaotic, powerful interests have returned to the controversial -- at times, conspiratorial -- concept of weather modification. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the bizarre, outlandish and occasionally dangerous plans to leverage science in a last-ditch Hail Mary to save civilization. Problem is, these same solutions may also end up destroying the planet. So... should humanity hold its breath and roll the dice?

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CLASSIC: Interview: Who Killed JFK? with Rob Reiner

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:23:53 +0000

In the wake of the death of Rob Reiner and his spouse Michele, Ben, Matt and Noel share some of their memories working with Rob and return to their classic interview with him, from 2023: Sixty years ago this week, US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. In tonight's conversation, Ben, Matt and Noel join the legendary director, actor, writer, and activist Rob Reiner to explore the assassination -- in his newest project, Rob finally answers the question: Who killed JFK?

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Strange News: Your Gut Predicts the Future; Quesadilla versus Flat Earth Theory, Wanted: Boomerang! And So Much More

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:37:16 +0000

In this week's strange news segment, Ben, Noel and Dylan explore how a human gut biome may predict linear future. Conversations about social media ephemera. Ben cops to his "missing: boomerang" posters, shouts out The Daily Zeitgeist, and asks Noel to explain "6-7." Dylan shares a weird story about returning to the United States as the U.S. asks to read your phone at the border. All this and more in this week's strange news segment -- tune in!

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We Finally Did It: The Nibiru Episode.

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 23:35:26 +0000

Tonight's episode: Ben, Matt, Noel and Dylan ask: How many planets exist? According to current astronomical research, a lot of speculation and tons of conspiracy theories, there may be more to the solar system.

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CLASSIC: The Hidden History of Africville

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

If you're not from Nova Scotia, you may have never heard of Africville -- it was a small community in Halifax. The larger government of Halifax seemed content to pretend Africville simply didn't exist. After the infamous Halifax Explosion of the early 1900s, the government changed their tactic, and aggressively conspired to erase Africville from history.

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Rapa Nui: The Mystery of Easter Island

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:52:50 +0000

Located in the eastern Pacific ocean, thousands of miles from other civilizations, Rapa Nui is home to an enduring mystery: hundreds of giant, stone sculptures called maoi. For centuries, outsiders had no idea how these were built, when, why or -- most importantly -- what happened to make the construction stop. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into hidden history and the latest research... and just may, finally, find the answers.

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CLASSIC: A Cosmic Murder Mystery: The Star That Simply Vanished

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:44:27 +0000

How can a star disappear? As Ben, Matt and Noel learn in this evening's Classic episode, there's more than a bit of weirdness involved: a few years back, an enterprising group of astronomers and astrophysicists found themselves transformed into full-on space detectives when a cursory observation of a luminous blue variable star located in the Kinman Dwarf galaxy revealed the star had simply... vanished. This is, according to what our species understands, impossible. Something this big should leave some sort of trace. So what happened? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the ongoing cosmic conundrum, exploring the story of this galactic noir mystery -- and, ultimately, attempting to learn what led to its untimely disappearance.

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Strange News: Animal Heists, Curious Attacks, the Age of Disclosure, Radioactive Fun Guys, and So Much More

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 22:30:37 +0000

It's almost the end of the year -- Disclosure looms, raccoons and humans alike pull heists, folks are housing Faberge eggs, fungi evolves in Chernobyl and pretty much everyone is trying to survive. Ben, Matt and Dylan want to tell you a joke at the beginning of this week's strange news segment. Stay tuned for the upcoming episodes inspired by this segment.

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The Horrifying Mysteries of Chicago's Ripper Crew

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:46:16 +0000

Warning: This episode contains graphic, accurate descriptions of unclean actions, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

In 1981 and 1982, an horrific series of murders and mutilation gripped Chicago. Ultimately, investigators found four men guilty of the crimes: Edward Spreitzer, brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis, and the alleged ringleader, Robin Gecht. However, as Ben, Matt and Dylan discover in tonight's episode, three of the criminals seemed unable to explain what, exactly, led to their depraved acts. Gecht, they argued, had supernatural powers of compulsion.

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Listener Mail: Underground Bumps in the Night, Hidden Missiles, Selling Your Soul and More

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 20:56:13 +0000

Hidalgo, Jimothy and Pure prompt Ben, Matt and Dylan to dive even deeper into the bizarre world of hidden structures underground -- including bunkers and top-secret missile siloes, just waiting for that launch command. Pastor Banks reaches out with a deep conversation about the nature of the soul, and Calamity Chris confirms the ancient folklore of dragon's teeth. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Mysterious Story of Russia's "Shadow Fleet"

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 23:57:08 +0000

As Russia and the West escalate their tensions, the world enacts sanctions meant to cripple the Russian economy -- "you can't sell oil," says the West. Ordinarily, a sanctioned country would have no recourse. Yet, as Ben, Dylan, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, Russia took a different route: a secret navy of ragtag vessels sailing under fake papers, moving fossil fuels -- a genuine Ghost Fleet, immune from international law.

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CLASSIC: The Deepcut Suicides

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:10:36 +0000

Located in Surrey, the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut (more often known as the Deepcut Barracks) was once the headquarters of the British Army's Royal Logistic Corp. On paper, Deepcut seemed to be a successful military installation -- yet it had a dark side. Young trainees were routinely bullied and abused, with little high-level oversight. A series of controversial trainee deaths between 1995 and 2002 were all ruled suicides, and, despite complaints and calls for investigation from grieving family members, forensic experts and more, this remains the official conclusion of the UK government today. Almost a decade since the last documented death, questions remain. Does the British Army have something to hide? Tune in to learn more in this Classic episode of the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about the Deepcut Four.

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Strange News: Do you recall ice cream? AI Religion, Campbell's Soup, New Pesticides and More.

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:02:05 +0000

Recent changes in social media reveal a vast network of trolls, prompting Ben to ask the gang, once again, about the dilemma of anonymity. The FDA folds on new pesticides. As predicted, AI launches a religion. There's this whole thing about Campbell's soup. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

If you dig this weekly segment, check out our real episodes! Next up: Russia's Shadow Fleet.

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Uncontacted Tribes: Fact and Fiction

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt at Noel separate fact from the fiction surrounding uncontacted peoples: Who's the most off-grid person you know? Have you ever fantasized about clocking out of the modern rat race, heading for the boonies, and living off the land with your loved ones? While 'uncontacted' communities are a huge part of film and fiction, it seems increasingly difficult for these folks to exist amid the breakneck pace of progress, pollution and the Information Age.

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CLASSIC: Happy Thanksgiving! Also -- when did humans reach the Americas?

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Did human beings first reach the continents we call North and South America by traversing a land bride across what's now known as the Bering Strait? That's been the most prominent theory about early human migration, and it's the one many children learn about in school -- but what if there's more to the story? Join the guys as they dive into the story of early human migration... as well as new evidence that may revolutionize every thing we thought we knew about humanity's journey to the Americas.

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The National Debt Conspiracy

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:07:48 +0000

Oof -- debt. People have it, companies have it, and a lot of countries do, too. In the US, the national debt becomes a hot-button issue every time elections roll around. But how does debt work when the country that owes the debt literally makes the rules around finance? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the dizzying (and sometimes terrifying) story of national debt.

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CLASSIC: How Rigging Elections Works: Mexico, 1988

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

While democracy isn't always predictable, one thing's for sure -- no matter who wins an election, for any party, in any country, some part of the population will claim the game is rigged. That's what happened in Mexico in 1988, when Carlos Salinas de Gortari became president in a hotly-disputed election. For years rumors circulated about the illegal actions that led to this outcome, an opposition parties often accused Gortari's party of rigging the vote. And, in 2004, another person stepped forward to confirm the election was rigged. This wasn't a fringe journalist, either -- it was former President of Mexico Miguel de la Madrid, Gortari's predecessor, who had worked to ensure his chosen candidate 'won' the vote. Tune in to learn more about this strange story ... and what makes it so important today.

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Strange News: Raccoon Evolution! A Grand Theft Joyride, the Guys Predict Nvidia, Cheese gets Cast, and Much More

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:16:33 +0000

Recent studies argue city raccoons are evolving along with humans. A guy steals a city bus and honestly does a pretty good job. Legislation is unprepared for technology, and Nvidia makes a lot of stuff. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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3I/Atlas: We are Obsessed with the Newest (or Oldest?) Instellar Object

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 22:16:04 +0000

While humanity's local solar system appears huge from Earth, it's actually a pretty tiny piece of real estate in the grand scheme of things. And, in recent years, technological breakthroughs have allowed astronomers and physicists to learn more about the things traveling to us from outside our patch of space. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the story of 3I/Atlas -- along with the experts who believe this thing may not be a natural accident, but manufactured, and perhaps purposely sent, directly to us.

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Listener Mail: Mysterious Booms, Near-death Experiences, the First Amendment versus the Internet, the Enchiladasagna and More

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:54:35 +0000

Saturn asks about the Longfellow Boom. Good Ol' Russ inspires Ben and Matt to do a Yule Cat prank. Beuford prompts a deep conversation about the First Amendment versus technology. Chef Ben revolutionizes the world with the Enchiladasagna - THE FUTURE IS NOW. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Interview: The Devil You Know, with Sarah Marshall

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

We've all heard the phrase: "Satanic Panic." Not too long ago, the United States -- and, later, the world -- was gripped with fear. According to the story, powerful devil worshippers conspired to kidnap, abuse, torture and even murder innocent children all in the service of Satan. So, what actually happened here? How did Patrick Swayze get mixed up in all this? In tonight's interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome Sarah Marshall, the creator of the new hit podcast The Devil You Know, to learn more about the Satanic Panic.

Listen to The Devil You Know here.

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CLASSIC: Russia and the US Civil Rights Movement

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Ben here, with a Classic episode. Fellow Conspiracy Realists, way back in 2019 I asked Matt and Noel what we really know about the US Civil Rights movement. Our exploration remains relevant today: The US Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s sparked nationwide protests, marches and action, resulting in fundamental changes for a nation that had long touted democracy and equality abroad while oppressing vast swathes of its own citizens at home. It remains one of the most significant times in recent history, but there's another twist to the story -- half a world away, the USSR joined the movement... though its intentions for dong so were anything but altruistic.

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Strange News: China Says Influencers Need Bonafides, a Bunch of the Usual Epstein Stuff, Space Food From Pee, and Even More

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 22:41:27 +0000

Congress finally cosigns the release of a bunch of emails from Jeffrey Epstein, which confirm earlier conversation. Europe aims to feed astronauts through a pretty fascinating process using human urine (yes, it is as weird as it sounds). Over in China, Uncle Xi demands all online influencers speaking about finance, law or medicine verify that they do, in fact, have some sort of expertise in their purported fields, prompting Ben, Matt and Noel to examine the nature of free speech. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The CIA Made a Bunch of Fake Websites, and Got People Killed

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:45:06 +0000

Ah, the Wild West days of the pre-bot internet! In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel return to the days of yore, when pretty much anyone could anonymously create a website for pretty much anything. As they discover, our friends at the CIA did, in fact, make a bunch of misleading websites for surreptitious communication. And this conspiracy worked until it didn't. When the web came unraveled, people died.

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Listener Mail: The Legend of the Yule Lads, Near-death Experiences, the Conundrum of Price Controls, and More

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:03:25 +0000

An Icelandic Volcano Nerd's recent travels to Iceland inspire an exploration of the terrifying Yule Lads. Replying to multiple episodes and interview segments about life after death, Inconspicuous shares his own near-death experience. Miro from Canada and Messenger point out the perils of price hikes and price controls. Aging Ginger may be surprised to learn that, yes, Ben, Matt and Noel did indeed pitch the idea of STDWYTK-branded tin foil. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The US's Secret "Underground City"

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Earlier this year, former US public official and investment banker Katherine Austin Fitts made an astonishing claim: for years, she argued, the United States secretly spent 21 trillion dollars of taxpayer money to build an elaborate network of underground doomsday bunkers -- bunkers most of the public would not be allowed to enter. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the conspiracy, separating fact from fiction... hopefully before the bombs drop.

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CLASSIC: What is Project Blue Beam?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

It seems the nearly 8 billion people living on Earth can't seem to agree on anything, much less cooperate to achieve a goal. But what if there was some way to unite them, to push the millions of different communities on the planet toward working together? One of the proposed answers is something called 'Project Blue Beam' -- the idea that, if you can't find a messiah, you can use technology to make one.

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Strange News: Robots, the Louvre Heist is Hilarious, Your Grocery Store Conspires Against You, and Way More

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:03:38 +0000

The great game for robots escalates; updates on Elon Musk. The Louvre heist is hilarious. Your grocery store conspires against you. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Interview: Conversate, with Killer Mike, Chapter Two: Think Global, Act Local

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In these divided times, how can communities unite? How can we, the average people, empower ourselves and our neighbors? Also -- what's the perfect day in Atlanta? In the second part of this historic, wide-ranging conversation, Ben and Matt return with the legendary MC, activist, and Atlanta community leader Killer Mike to discuss his new podcast Conversate, the importance of connection, and the future of the United States.

Subscribe to Conversate with Killer Mike on YouTube.

Conversate with Killer Mike on IG.

Conversate with Killer Mike on TikTok.

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Listener Mail: Tom, Less Radioactive Rusty, Sarahwasme, Phlounder and More

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Hunter's Point and Treasure Island. FDA transparency, the rise of a global right wing. Recalibration. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Interview: Conversate, with Killer Mike, Chapter One: Conspiracies and Consequence

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Was the 13th Amendment a grift? What was it like living through the Atlanta child murders? In the first part of an historic, wide-ranging conversation, Ben and Matt welcome the legendary MC, activist, and Atlanta community leader Killer Mike to discuss his new podcast Conversate, some of America's most dangerous conspiracies, the importance of local organizing, and the fragile nature of democracy.

Subscribe to Conversate with Killer Mike on YouTube.

Conversate with Killer Mike on IG.

Conversate with Killer Mike on TikTok.

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CLASSIC: Interview Segment: Women of Juarez, with Oz Woloshyn

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Juarez, located just over the US-Mexico border, has an ongoing crisis that hasn't made the news: hundreds of women have gone missing, and many of the ones who disappear are later found dead, their wrists often bound, with strange symbols carved on their bodies. Journalists Monica Ortiz Uribe and Oz Woloshyn dive deep into this tragic mystery in their podcast Forgotten: Women of Juarez, searching for answers to the femicides that were all too often ignored by law enforcement. What did they find? Join the guys as they learn more with Oz Woloshyn about the ongoing investigation in this Classic Interview Segment.

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Strange News: The Looming Hunger Crisis, Mass Layoffs, Strange Stuff in the Skies, Monkeys, Minks and More

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:07:18 +0000

As the government shutdown continues, an estimated 42 million US residents may go hungry. Mushrooms may be the next memory chips. Ben, Matt and Noel continue to obsess over 3I/Atlas. Cameos by minks and monkeys. All this and more in our weekly strange news segment.

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Happy Halloween: How Selling Your Soul Works

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 20:17:23 +0000

In tonight's special Halloween episode, Ben, Matt, Noel and Super Producer Dylan lean on Ben's earlier experience with the paranormal. Tonight's question: Is it actually possible to sell your soul to infernal powers? Check this out: we learned how it works.

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The Bermuda Triangle: A Live Q&A

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:37:21 +0000

After exploring the Bermuda Triangle live on international waters, Ben, Matt and Noel open the floor to their fellow Conspiracy Realists. Tune in to hear the guys tackle everything from real-life cryptid encounters, to government secrets, the alleged secrets of DNA and more.

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STDWYTK Presents: The Bermuda Triangle, Live From The Bermuda Triangle

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:16:13 +0000

Ben, Matt, Noel and Super Producer Dylan present one of the strangest episodes in the history of Stuff They Don't Want You To Know: the long-awaited exploration of the Bermuda Triangle -- live, from the actual Bermuda Triangle. (Ben here: I have no idea how we got away with this one. We worked hard on it; we also solve the mystery. Make sure to tune in later this week for our live Q&A, and thank you for supporting this bonkers show.)

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CLASSIC: Tatum Salt Dome: Nuclear Explosions on U.S. Soil

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:06:20 +0000

With a special shoutout to fellow Conspiracy Realist J, we present our Classic episode on some hidden history from Mississippi: Most people have heard of Three Mile Island — but what about the multiple other nuclear events on US soil? Join Ben and Matt as they explore the strange, largely untold story of the Tatum Salt Dome in this story from 2020.

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Strange News: Breathe Through Your Butt, Steal Chairs, Watch the Skies and Oh, Tight: a Foreign Base in the US?

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 19:27:06 +0000

A team of crack scientists may save lives by helping humans breathe through their butts. Europe busts an international chair heist ring. The AI war against humanity escalates (also, no one's sure exactly how to define the comet 3I/ATLAS). The nation of Qatar makes headlines with a new training facility in Idaho -- a move suprising a lot of people, including the state's governor and Senators. All this and more as we return with our weekly strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: The Lost City of Ubar: The True Story of "The Atlantis of the Sands"

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

You've probably heard of the Atlantis before, but have you heard the legends of another lost city, somewhere out in the endless sands of the Arabian Peninsula's Rub' al Khali (or "Empty Quarter")? Tales of this city, known as Ubar or Iram of the Pillars, surface in countries throughout the region. The city is even mentioned in the Quran. And, like Atlantis, over the centuries numerous people have tried to find it -- but there's one important difference between Iram and Atlantis... it appears someone actually found Iram. Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: The Rise of the Agent Provocateur

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Protests against systemic injustice and police brutality are sweeping the United States and the world at large. In the US, protesting isn't just a tactic -- it is a right, explicitly described in the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Protests can be powerful tools to push for change, but other forces, from corporations to militias, intelligence agencies and more also seek to use the power of protest against itself. Listen in to learn more about the history -- and future -- of the agent provocateur.

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CLASSIC: Stratospheric Aerosol Injections: Saving the World with Chemtrails

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:23:27 +0000

Typically, when you hear someone bring up the concept of chemtrails, it's either to dismiss the idea as a conspiracy theory or to claim there's something dangerous up there in the sky -- something the mainstream doesn't want you to know about. But a growing group of experts think something like chemtrails might just be the key to literally saving life on Earth. Tune in and learn more about stratospheric aerosol injections.

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CLASSIC: The Santa Susana Field Experiment Coverup

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:45:35 +0000

Most US residents are vaguely familiar with the nuclear disaster known as Three Mile Island -- but that's only one of several similar stories. Join the guys as they explore the strange events of July 1959, when the Santa Susana Field Laboratory partially melted down -- and the government conspired to cover it up.

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CLASSIC: The 2001 Anthrax Letter Attacks: Who was actually responsible?

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:49:36 +0000

Mere days after the horrific events of 9/11, someone began sending letters laced with anthrax spores to senators and the offices of major media outfits -- by the time the attacks ended, seventeen people were seriously injured, and five victims had died. Today the FBI maintains the case has been solved: scientist Bruce Edwards Ivins, acting alone, was responsible. Ivins died of an overdose in an apparent suicide before any possible trial, and today, numerous people familiar with the case believe the official story doesn't add up. Tune in to learn more.

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The Strava Leaks

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The modern world is full of apps -- and we don't mean appetizers. Apps are tiny programs that can do countless neat, convenient things... often with a catch. As Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, some apps, even innocuous things for workouts and cycling, can lead to disastrous breaches of personal privacy and national security. This is the story of the Strava Leaks.

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CLASSIC: Whatever happened to Julian Assange?

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

A few years back, Julian Assange was a household name in the West. The founder and face of Wikileaks, one of the world's most well-known destinations for leaks of classified information, Assange was hailed as a hero by some and a villain by others. And, whether you think he's a soldier in the war for transparency or some sort of super-villain, there's no denying that many people in power wanted him neutralized by any means possible. In our last episode, we left Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he'd been living, and fighting extradition charges, for several years. Then he seemed to disappear from the headlines. So what happened?

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The Post-Pandemic Price Hike Conspiracy

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

During the height of the Covid lockdown, prices for all sorts of things skyrocketed -- global supply chains broke, numerous companies (and, more importantly, families) struggled to survive. Economists, CEOs and politicians alike assured the public that after the pandemic passed, prices would return to 'normal.' Fast forward to 2025: it's post-lockdown... and, if anything, prices have continued to rise. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask what's going on -- and discover a very real conspiracy at play.

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CLASSIC: Wells Fargo's Imaginary Customers

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Wells Fargo is one of the most popular retail banks in the United States, and its gigantic customer base uses it for everything from savings accounts to loans and more. However, a few years bank the bank came under fire for perpetuating a conspiracy all its own -- more and more customers found they had multiple accounts and lines of credit opened without their consent, and further investigation found that was just the beginning of the problem. Tune in to learn more about this real-life banking conspiracy, how it was discovered and the consequences (or lack thereof).

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Strange News: Put My Face on the Money, Qatar and the US, AI Censorship in Film, and More

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The United States Treasury moves to print current President Trump's face on a new coin, prompting an exploration of why the US officially doesn't put living people on the money. Qatar and the US reach a new level in what Lady Gaga would call a "Bad Romance." (Ben here: we recorded this before the news of the Idaho military base hit; the gang and I are currently in international waters -- wish us luck!) Microsoft has a 'come-to-Jesus' moment with Azure. Chinese authorities leverage AI to improve their censorship regulations for Western films. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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What Comes After Humans? Chapter Two: The Next Dominant Species

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:48:04 +0000

Let's imagine the worst scenario for civilization: humans, for one reason or another, go extinct. What will rise from the ashes of the Anthropocene to take their place? In the second part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Dylan explore the possible candidates, from various high-order mammals and avians, to life beneath the seas, to plants, fungi, artificial intelligence and more. (We're extremely excited about this one, and can't wait to hear your picks for the next rulers of Earth.)

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Listener Mail: Big Tobacco, Kaikōura Lights Theories, Post-Snuff Messages and More

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:15:15 +0000

The Chef calls in with a fascinating theory on the Kaikōura lights. Nemesis shares an inside look at Big Tobacco, answering Ben's earlier question about smoking inside (and much more). In the wake of the infamous Snuff episode, multiple Conspiracy Realists reach out with jokes, puns, well-wishes, kind words and pet pics. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What Comes After Humans? Chapter One: A Brief, Brightly Burning Light

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 22:16:26 +0000

Humans! Seems like they're everywhere these days. They've also been great for our show, so thanks! Anyhow, the Age of the Anthropocene has fundamentally altered the natural world -- and, no matter what happens, the legacy of the human will remain long after the actual species is gone. What happens when the humans are no more? In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Dylan explore the still-controversial origin of Homo sapiens, along with how the world might look when Earth's favorite superape no longer rules the roost.

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CLASSIC: Operation Infektion: Russia's AIDS Conspiracy

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:34:03 +0000

HIV and AIDS, the syndrome the infection causes, have become the subject of numerous conspiracy theories. Over the decades people have proposed the infection was purposely designed to kill certain segments of the public, or that it was a lab experiment gone wrong, or that it didn't exist at all. For a time these theories enjoyed massive popularity in the US and abroad... but there was another conspiracy at play, one that most people weren't aware of: join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more about Russia's Operation Infektion in this week's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Peter and the Antichrist, Hegseth's Stand-up Bombs, Crypto Heists and More

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:43:58 +0000

The world's largest crypto-related heists poses a bizarre dilemma for authorities in London. The perplexing meeting of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and America's generals has everyone -- including the generals -- scratching their heads. The billionaire Peter Theil is raising eyebrows and serious concerns with his technocratic take of the End of Days, and his speech series arguing regulation will inevitably lead to the rise of the Antichrist. Join Ben, Matt and Dylan for all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Is there a secret room inside Mount Rushmore?

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:12:49 +0000

It's an image famous -- and controversial -- all the world round: in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the US government wrought four gigantic sculptures of past US Presidents on the face of the Six Grandfathers. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Dylan explore the truth behind one of America's weirdest conspiracies: Is Mount Rushmore just a big carving? Or is there a secret, hidden for centuries, there within the stone?

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Listener Mail: Ben Versus the Sun, Humans Visit Savannah, Matt Airs Hot Takes On The Future

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:13:28 +0000

Happy Rutabaga Day. In this week's listener mail segment, Ben, Matt and Dylan learn about the plans to finally take the sun down a notch. Insight on Savannah, Georgia. All this and more as the gang hurtles toward the end of the year.

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Snuff Films: Fact and Fiction

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 21:45:11 +0000

The "snuff film" is a profoundly disturbing urban legend: the idea that a shadowy group (or groups) manufacture real-life acts of torture, defilement and murder for the express purpose of commercial gain. For decades, fact checkers and researchers argued that snuff films didn't actually exist. Yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode... that may no longer be the case.

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CLASSIC: The Forced Assimilation of Native People

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

For centuries the U.S. government conspired to persecute, attack and marginalize the native population. When open warfare became too expensive, some factions of the government proposed a different approach -- what if, they wondered, we erase native culture? This inspired a massive industry of forced assimilation. Thousands of children were forced into boarding schools where they were taught to act more 'European' while being abused, exploited and placed into forced labor. Tune in to learn more about the conspiracy of forced assimilation, and how its long-reaching consequences affect the country in the modern day.

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Strange News: A Terrifying New York Mystery, Peeing in Theaters, Pentagon Wiling Out, and More

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

As world leaders convene for the United Nations General Assembly, the US Secret Service uncovers a massive telecom conspiracy -- and has no idea who created it. People are out here peeing in theatres, it's Fat Beer Week as we record, and the Pentagon declares journalists must tow the party line. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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What is the Atlas Network?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:51:20 +0000

In theory, democracy empowers the people -- a citizen's vote is the primary campaign contribution. However, theory and practice are often two very different things. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel peel back the layers on a global conspiracy: a worldwide, well-funded network with deep ties to the US government; a meta-think tank created to make more think tanks. They touch everything from tobacco to climate change, from crafting laws to (allegedly) aiding in government overthrow. For those in the know, the group is simply called "Atlas."

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Listener Mail: Knife Cults, Rituals of the Nacirema, The Radioactive Horrors of Coldwater Creek

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:12:40 +0000

Killdeer Fake-out inspires Ben, Matt and Noel to create an episode on the radioactive scandal of Coldwater Creek. Chef Ben asks whether he crossed paths with a knife cult. Sydney prompts an anthropological exploration of the Nacirema. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Who Really Controls Japan's Far Right?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 22:02:38 +0000

Like so many other countries, Japan has a complex mix of political parties and activist movements -- some are gigantic, and some are small. Some are legit, and some are crazy. In the recent election, one fringe, far-right party named Sanseitō skyrocketed in the polls, gaining unprecedented prominence on a 'Japan First' platform peddling conspiracy theories, anti-foreigner legislation, and revisionist history about World War II. Is that really what the Japanese voters want? Journalists, critics and the public have serious questions, and are asking whether this group is, itself, funded by foreign powers seeking to destroy Japan from within.

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CLASSIC: What Happened to Emanuela Orlandi?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:43:10 +0000

On June 22nd, 1983, 15-year-old Vatican City resident Emanuela Orlandi disappeared after attending a music lesson. Over the decades, numerous people claimed to have seen Orlandi, or reached out with leads on her fate. Yet even now, the case remains unsolved. Join the guys as they explore that facts of the case, the wide-ranging possibilities, the allegations of conspiracy, crime and cover-ups, ultimately asking: What happened to Emanuela Orlandi?

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Strange News: The Great US Science Exodus, Exotic Support Animals, New Mexico Childcare Revolution and More

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:39:30 +0000

A new Brain Drain: funding cuts and political chaos cause scientists to leave the US -- and other countries love it. Wal-Mart bans an emotional support alligator. Protestors get in hot water in the UK. New Mexico may make childcare free. And one scientist may have just cracked the code on space travel. All this and more -- including the first bot minister -- in this week's strange news segment.

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The Mystery of New Zealand's Kaikōura Lights

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:55:54 +0000

In December of 1978, New Zealand's Kaikōura mountain ranges gained international attention as a series of unidentified glowing objects appeared to follow multiple planes in the area. Pilots, journalists, radar techs and air traffic control all confirmed the events -- along with numerous witnesses on the ground. Almost fifty years after the initial sightings, people still can't explain the Kaikōura Lights... and every December, locals look to the sky, just in case the lights return. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into one of the most bizarre UFO stories in New Zealand history.

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Listener Mail: Barbie Power Wheels, Panama Strangeness, A Time Warner Conspiracy and More

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:47:25 +0000

A bizarre Power Wheels heist goes awry. TikTok loses its mind over an unidentified ...thing in Panama. A fellow Conspiracy Realist hips Ben, Matt and Noel to a massive (and massively petty) possible conspiracy in the corporate world. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:40:12 +0000

At the height of the Cold War, both the Soviets and the United States raced to hold supremacy across the globe. Over in North Dakota, you can find a strange relic of this unending conflict -- the Stanley R. Mickelson Safeguard Complex, a billion-dollar boondoggle built to detect and destroy Soviet missiles. It opened on October 1st, 1975. Just one day later, on October 2nd, Congress shut it down. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask: What happened?

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CLASSIC: Betty and Barney Hill: The UFO Case that Changed Everything, with Toby Ball

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:20:37 +0000

In September of 1961, on an empty country road in rural New Hampshire, Barney and Betty Hill experienced the most profound, bizarre night of their lives in what would become the first widely-publicized account of an alien abduction in US history -- the case that would go on to influence hundreds, if not thousands, of abduction cases to follow. But what exactly happened that September night? Join the guys as they sit down with author Toby Ball, host of the Strange Arrivals podcast, to explore the facts, the claims, and the questions that remain unanswered in the modern day.

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Strange News: ICE Raids in Georgia, Swedish Teen Assassins, LSD and Mass Surveillance in China

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 21:41:55 +0000

US authorities raid a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia, detaining nearly 500 workers and sparking an international crisis with South Korea. The QAnon Queen of Canada is arrested. The rise of teenage assassins in Sweden. US tech companies are complicit in mass surveillance across China. The good and bad of LSD. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Governments and AI, Chapter Two: Everything Is Precedent

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 20:41:52 +0000

As human civilization hurtles headlong toward technology it still does not fully understand, your favorite world governments are in a new arms race to control large language models, generative AI, and the terrifying golden goose -- a fully sentient, artificially created, non-organic mind. So what happens when they discover it? As Ben, Matt and Noel learn in the second chapter of this two-part series: everything is precedent.

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Listener Mail: Undersea Cable Shenanigans, Anunnaki Pirates, Cat Conversations

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:26:55 +0000

HR prompts an exploration of the world's internet -- and what happens when it fails. Dale pitches the concept of Anunnaki Pirates. Moose shares some insight into cat conversations. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Governments and AI, Chapter One: New Tools, Old Game

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:15:32 +0000

Corporations across the planet are going crazy for AI -- and governments are no different. So what happens when new technology revolutionizes the same age-old interests of a government? What happens when a new technology revolutionizes the same age-old mistakes as well?In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore governmental interest in AI: the facts, the fiction, and the frightening implications.

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CLASSIC: At What Price Safety: The Conundrum of Clearview AI

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:41:02 +0000

It's "AI" week here on Stuff They Don't Want You To Know. In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel revisit their 2020 original exploration of Clearview AI -- to its supporters, this company's facial recognition software revolutionizes safety. To its critics, there's much more on the horizon.

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Strange News: China Throws a Party -- and Not Everyone is Invited

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:12:10 +0000

Fan of the show Uncle Xi just threw a big party to commemorate the end of World War II. In this week's strange news segment, the guys explore the FOMO of the world's second-strangest science fair.

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Can We Talk With Animals? Chapter Two: AI is Another Animal

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:36:07 +0000

People have attempted to communicate with other animals since before the dawn of recorded history. Today, almost every pet owner feels they have deep, communicative bonds with their pets -- but what about wild animals? In the second chapter of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel discover how 'AI' may soon allow humans to speak directly with multiple other organisms. (We also absolutely wrecked our search history with phrases like "sperm whale phonetic alphabet.")

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Listener Mail: PoodleCrab, The Messenger, and Oz Woman

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:32:09 +0000

The Messenger prompts a conversation on video games and divinity. Oz Woman replies to the earlier series on the Anunnaki. Following up on the earlier news about China's artificial womb, PoodleCrab and others walk through the positive -- and negative -- implications. A brief homily on Cracker Barrel. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Can We Talk With Animals? Chapter One: Your Pets Know Way More Than You

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:59:31 +0000

Do you have a bond with a household pet? Do they understand what you say to them -- and, if so, how much? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into a question that's mystified humanity since the dawn of history: Can we really talk to non-human animals? Not at or to... but with? Tune in to learn how science may finally crack the code and turn us into real-life Doctor Doolittles.

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CLASSIC: Your News Agency or the CIA: The Story of Operation Mockingbird

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:04:39 +0000

Propaganda has always been a powerful tool, and humanity's recent technological innovations have only amplified its reach. Long-standing laws in the US were meant to prevent US propaganda for foreign audiences from reaching the domestic population, but over time those laws have been eroded... and, as it turns out, Uncle Sam was secretly pushing propaganda on the people for years beforehand. Tune in to learn more about Operation Mockingbird.

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Strange News: An Orgy Dome Disaster, Cardboard Conspiracies, Insults on Airplanes and More

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 01:31:42 +0000

US Nationals captured attempting an info war to destablize Greenland. A lawsuit emerges on an airline. A cardboard cartel is in play and, it appears, actively conspiring against you. All this -- plus an orgy dome -- in this week's strange news segment.

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The Anunnaki, Chapter Three: A Future in the Sky?

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Oh, praise Enlil! This is our final -- for now -- episode on the concept of the Anunnaki. 'Ben,' Matt, and Noel explore the arguments for 'ancient aliens,' while also discovering real-life, current astronomical information that just might prove a princely seed of truth to all those tall tales of old.

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Listener Mail: Cryptid Hunters, Tricorders, The Blackpool Underworld and Abandoned America

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:56:59 +0000

Phlounder responds to Ben's earlier point about Friday news stories. A friendly Chef also named Ben prompts a conversation between Matt and Noel about tricorders. Dan B answers questions about Mango the Parrot with, first-hand experience from Blackpool. Also Cryptid Hunters. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Anunnaki, Chapter Two: Rebranding G-ds

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:58:44 +0000

Let's be honest, oh mortals: history proves time and time again that one civilization's angels may become another civilization's demons. In Chapter Two of this three-part series on the Anunnaki, "Ben," Matt, and Noel explore the cultural and spiritual evolution of mysterious entities blamed for everything from the original discovery of fire to the provenance of original sin.

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CLASSIC: The Secret World of Chefs, with Richard Blais and Hugh Acheson

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:55:13 +0000

As anyone who's worked in a kitchen or the hospitality industry can readily attest, there's an entirely different world behind the doors of every kitchen, a world that most diners and restaurant patrons never see. Join the guys as they sit down with world famous chefs Hugh Acheson and Richard Blais to learn more about what really happens behind the scenes in restaurants and cooking shows, as well as how the industry has been been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Strange News: New Statues on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Plane Heists, Allegations of Brain Rot in English Dictionaries

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:54:21 +0000

Chinese scientists construct a robot capable of carrying a human fetus to term -- will the government allow this in the public sphere? A California man finds his recreational Cessna repeatedly stolen. Dictionary boffins are criticized for canonizing recent phrases and words. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Anunnaki, Chapter One: "In Those Days, There Were Giants"

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:38:27 +0000

How did the humble primates learn the astonishing arts of agriculture, taming fire, animal husbandry and the sorcery of the written word? If you travel to ancient Mesopotamia, you'll see mysterious references to powerful non-human entities called the "Anunnaki." In the first Chapter of this three-part series, "Ben," Matt and Noel explore the proven historical references to these entities throughout ancient civilization— and ask whether there's any chance a grain of truth informed these tales of old. (Spoiler, we are super excited about this, and hope you tune in.)

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Listener Mail: Trauma and Preparation, DC Deployment, The Epstein Breadcrumb Theory

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:01:00 +0000

Mr. Delay reaches out with a breakdown of trauma medicine guidelines. An anonymous caller details the experience of a military friend who fears they may be turned against the American public. Multiple Conspiracy Realists write in to discuss the unfolding Epstein saga -- especially the idea that powerful forces may be 'breadcrumbing' new information in an effort to control the overall narrative and stymy investigation. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Epstein 2025, Chapter Two: Will Ghislaine Maxwell Go Free?

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:35:46 +0000

Despite concerted efforts of extremely powerful people, the conspiracies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein refuse to disappear from the news. In chapter two of the 2025 Epstein update, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deeper into the bizarre statements of politicians and business tycoons associated with Epstein's international sex crimes, catch up with the latest disturbing developments... and ask what will ultimately happen to Epstein's only accomplice currently imprisoned: the disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.

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CLASSIC: Big Brother Wants To Get Inside Your Car

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that modern automobiles are incredibly convenient. Ben, Matt and Noel are big fans. Cars these days are almost like rolling computers, chock-full of GPS capabilities, infotainment systems, back-up cameras, security systems connected to the cloud and so on. But there's a potential dark side to all this convenience, and some oberservers are becoming increasingly concerned about what corporations and governments may do with this technology over the long term. In this oddly prescient Classic episode, the guys ask: Are we entering a world where Big Brother can brick your car the same way some tech companies can brick your gadgets?

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Strange News: The Bermuda Triangle, Solved? A Parrot Fights Crime, Progressive Speeding Fines, Labubu Heists, and More

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:13:01 +0000

Stoolpigeon or upstanding avian? A parrot in the UK helps bust a drug ring. A massive Labubu heist prompts a conversation about artificial scarcity. Speeding fines may soon be based on an offender's financial status, rather than a flat fee. A scientist argues he's solved the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle -- all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Epstein 2025, Chapter One: A Cover-up Afoot?

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:58:47 +0000

More than six years after the disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein died in prison, unanswered questions remain. Who else was involved? Is there a list of known accomplices who participated in the abuse of children? In the first part of this two-part series, the gang investigates the disturbing, lingering questions surrounding the ongoing Epstein scandal -- as well as new revelations that only recently came to light.

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CLASSIC: The Dark Story of K-Pop

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:51:28 +0000

Korean pop music, or K-pop, originated in South Korea but has become a powerful, global phenomenon. This multi-billion dollar industry manufacturers scores of pitch-perfect idols and groups, performers who become lead trendsetters in the world of fashion, dance, music and more. Yet there's a dark side to this fame, and a peek behind the curtain reveals a brutal, dangerous world of cut-throat competition, financial corruption and abuse. Tune in to learn about the dark side of K-Pop.

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The Conspiracy of "Cool"

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 02:14:47 +0000

What makes a person "cool"? We don't mean physical temperature -- instead, we're asking about the swag, the aura, the almost indescribable vibe with a thousand names across time and culture. For most of human history, the concept of what we call "cool" has been a mystery -- perhaps, that is, until now. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange story of how science may have finally cracked the code on coolness. Could you use this knowledge to make yourself cooler? More importantly... is it cool to want to?

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CLASSIC: Chemtrails Were Real -- At Least in the UK

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:39:45 +0000

Whether you consider yourself a true conspiracy theorist or a diehard skeptic, you've definitely heard of chemtrails. True believers are certain that, unlike the contrails made by aircraft, chemtrails are insidious chemicals dispersions meant to poison unsuspecting, innocent civilians across the planet. The concept of chemtrails has been more or less dismissed by scientists and the mainstream media, but it turns out that, in at least one country, something like chemtrails was very much a reality. Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Mass Surveillance, Endangered Elections, the Annabelle Doll, Radioactive Animals, and More

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

New reports raise growing concerns that the next US elections may be endangered -- along with a ton of other rights. After 54 years of fire, Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell" may be closing. Radioactive rhinos and wasps. Sex toys thrown during WNBA games. Israel conducts expansive surveillance of Palestinians, prompting a larger conversation about Big Brother. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Interview: Absolute, with Nick Berardini, Part 2

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

As Taser International rolls out increasingly powerful and sophisticated tasers, they also massively expand sales to law enforcement agencies across the United States. In step with this expansion, more and more people end up dying as a result of these "non-lethal" weapons. In the second part of this two-part interview with journalist and filmmaker Nick Berardini, the guys learn more about the past, present and future conspiracies surrounding the alleged 'safety' of tasers.

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Listener Mail: The Lead-Crime Hypothesis, Space Pancakes of Eagle River, Nurses and Super Smell, Alien Observation and More

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:58:05 +0000

K prompts an exploration of the theory that lead exposure created a crime wave -- and possibly explains how this may have created a rash of serial killers. Easy E shares first hand experience as a nurse who can smell not only death, but dozens of other conditions. Flea wonders what aliens see when they observe Earth. Steve-From-Ohio hips the guys to the bizarre story of the 1961 Eagle River Alien Encounter. We won't spoil this strange tale other than to say: space pancakes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Interview: Absolute, with Nick Berardini

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:53:32 +0000

Nowadays, everyone knows what a taser is. Manufacturers, politicians and law enforcement have long championed these devices as "non-lethal" and "safe" alternatives to firearms. Yet this is far from the truth. In the first part of this two-part interview, the gang welcomes journalist, filmmaker and podcast Nick Berardini, the creator of Absolute, Season One: Taser International to learn more about his decade plus investigation into the corporate corruption, conspiracy and crime surrounding tasers.

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CLASSIC: Bug Out Bag 101

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

If you were cut off from everything for 72 hours, what would you need to survive? If you found yourself in the middle of nowhere -- or if you needed to leave a dangerous place -- what would you carry with you? In this Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the essentials of the Bug Out Bag.

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Strange News: Uncle Sam Wants You To Venmo Him, Sex Slavery in Alabama, Blackmailed Monks in Thailand, A Missing Grenade in Los Angeles, and More

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 20:37:45 +0000

Note: this week's strange news segment may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Authorities have uncovered a sophisticated sexual abuse and slavery ring in Alabama, including biological parents abusing their own children. The United States wants you to help pay the national debt by venmoing Uncle Sam directly. A scandal erupts in Thailand as police arrest a woman who allegedly seduced and blackmailed Buddhist monks. A grenade has gone missing from the scene of an explosion that killed 3 Los Angeles deputies. Plus a low-key plan to (finally) dim the sun.

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CLASSIC: Why is the Navy worried about releasing the secret UFO Files?

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:59:08 +0000

After years of rumors, recent releases have confirmed the US government knew much more about UFOs than they'd originally let on. And, despite the recent waves of revelations and classifications, Uncle Sam is still refusing to release everything. When pressed on the issue, the government stated that disclosing certain files would pose "an extraordinarily grave threat to national security" -- so what exactly is on these files? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: ChatBot Therapists, the Kaikōura Lights and More Strange Things in the SKy

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:55:11 +0000

Uncle Benny hips the gang to the bizarre story of the Kaikōura lights. Smells Like Low Tide asks about the latest news regarding the First Palomar Sky Survey Spanish Virtual Observatory. Beer Fairy reaches out with disturbing developments in the world of "AI" therapy. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Disaster in the Water: The Turkey Point Salt Plume

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:57:44 +0000

Located just 25 miles south of Miami, Florida, the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station provides power for hundreds of thousands of people -- and has done so for decades. However, since at least the 1970s, Turkey Point has struggled with an issue literally beneath the surface. Water used to cool the station has increasingly leached into the ground beneath the plant, spreading closer and closer to the local aquifer used by millions of people. Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more.

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CLASSIC: The True Story of the Ancient Chinese Giants

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:27:19 +0000

Like many other regions of the world, China has its own folklore about ancient, humanoid giants. In most cases, these legends have a mundane cause -- a misidentified fossil, for example, or a translation error. However, this case appears to be unique, because it turns out the giants have been found... it just depends on what you mean when you call someone a 'giant.' Learn more in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: A Sports Memorabilia Scandal, Delta and AI Flights, Don't Move To Russia, The Fast Food Conversation, and More

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:38:37 +0000

45-year-old Brett Lemieux exposes his multi-year sports memorabilia con game -- and apparently dies by his own hand. The aviation giant Delta airlines roles out an intensely controversial "AI super-analyst" to change the price you pay for tickets, from one second to the next. Two more tragedies: one with an MRI machine, and one with American Derek Huffman accidentally joining the frontlines of Russia's War against Ukraine. Also, the gang wants to hear about your favorite sleeper hit fast food franchises. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: Is there enough for everyone?

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

While the human species is inarguably successful (for now), hundreds of millions of people struggle under daily threats of starvation, physical danger, lack of shelter and disease. And, perhaps more troubling, the numbers indicate it's possible to feed and shelter virtually every single person on the planet -- or is it? Is there enough for everyone, and, if so, why isn't humanity transforming this potential into a reality? Join the guys as they explore the answers to this question -- along with its disturbing implications -- in tonight's Classic episode.

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Listener Mail: LSD, Robot Rabbits and Ben Again Hates The Sun

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:50:15 +0000

Big Luke hips the gang to robot rabbits. Della addresses myths about menstration. The Messenger prompts an in-depth conversation about drugs and propaganda. The Lord of Enjoyment inspires a new exploration of cloud seeding. The Cacoa Connoisseur follows up on the science of Earth's sun and human civilization. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Can You Smell Death?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 21:21:40 +0000

If you are human, you do not consciously clock most odors. Yet these molecules still inform, influence, and inspire your unconscious behaviors. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a question most folks are too frightened to ask: Can you smell death?

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Classic: The UFO over Montreal

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In the foggy, early evening of November 7th, 1990, two people at a Montreal hotel noticed something bizarre in the sky. Soon, multiple people in the hotel had gathered on a rooftop terrace to observe a genuine UFO -- and, soon after that, people across the city began reporting the object (if it was an object). In the almost three decades after this sighting, numerous witnesses, experts, fringe researchers and skeptics have attempted to explain exactly what was hovering over the sky for hours that evening. Join the guys as they delve into the case in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Oh, Man. Epstein. Also: Yeti Blood Oaths, Become A Wild Man, UNO in Vegas, Swedish Fitness Leaks, Twitter Waifus and More

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:42:34 +0000

The Epstein saga continues to unfold, despite the US government saying there's "nothing to see here." China will hire you to be a wild man. UNO rolls out in Vegas. Swedish royal bodyguards accidentally leak location data via fitness apps. Twitter wants you to get an AI girlfriend. Oh, and Yeti Blood Oaths. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Could I survive a nuclear war?

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 20:29:56 +0000

For almost a century, the world has been terrified by the possibility of nuclear war. If one does occur, it will happen quickly, with the first strike triggering a domino effect of retaliation and chaos. So what can the average person do in this hellish situation? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask: Could you survive a nuclear war? If so, how?

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Listener Mail: Killing AI, Super Soldier Childhood, Maine's Amendment 25, Storage Space

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:59:24 +0000

Cheese Out asks whether humans need to kill AI to understand it. Dandy Granny raises concerning points about the childhood of super soldiers. Paul prompts a conversation about Maine's food sovereignty. Potatoes Gun asks for more information on "Big Storage." All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Pheromones vs. Humans

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:33:47 +0000

Although most people may not notice this, the living world is rife with an everpresent, invisible chemical conspiracy: pheromones. These chemicals can warn of danger, entice mates, mark territory and produce sophisticated behavioral changes in every species they touch -- but what about humans? Conventional science has argued humans don't play the pheromone game, but as Ben, Matt and Noel learn in tonight's episode... there may be more to the story.

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CLASSIC: Slaves to the Sun: Solar Activity and Mass Excitability

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:41:48 +0000

We all know weather can affect a person's mood, but just how far does it go? Could the activity of the sun be driving widespread human conflicts throughout history? In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bisarre theory Alexander Tchijevsky stumbled across when he found wars across the planet seem to coincide with solar cycles. This prompted him to ask: Is human civilization enslaved to the sun?

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Strange News: The Epstein Client List, Human Skin Phones, Click-to-Cancel, Akon, Grok Goes Nazi

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:45:07 +0000

Despite numerous earlier statements, the US Department of Justice and FBI officially concludes that notorious human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein had no client list -- spoiler, chaos ensues. Akon's planned utopian city falls through. Elon Musk's Grok chatbot courts controversy as it makes pro-Nazi statements and (for unrelated reasons) is also banned in Türkiye. Akon's utopian city is abandoned. A 'click-to-cancel' rule is blocked, prompting questions about the influence of big business. All this and more this week's strange news segment.

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ScienceStuff, with Jorge Cham

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 15:01:51 +0000

Are we living in a simulation? What's the future of AI? How can humans understand the past, present, and future of the universe -- assuming, of course, that time exists? In this interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome special guest Dr. Jorge Cham, the creator of the new hit podcast ScienceStuff, and pick his brain about some of the biggest questions in all of human civilization.

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Listener Mail: Bird Deaths, Gas Station Bars, The Battle of Blair Mountain and More

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Sloth inspires a round-up of recent news stories from the world of birds. Fae shares a story of real-life bars inside gas stations. Kevin prompts an exploration of hidden history -- the earth shaking Battle of Blair Mountain, and the resulting cover-up from the Powers That Be. Plus puns. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Raymond Allen Davis Incident

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:39:21 +0000

It's an open secret that not everything is as it seems in the world of diplomacy -- a great many individuals operate with some degree of subterfuge and invisibility. So what happens when things go wrong, and these often disturbing, unseen things become visible? Tonight's story takes us to Lahore, Pakistan: on January 27, 2011, CIA contractor Raymond Allen Davis found himself in a brutal firefight in traffic. What follows becomes an international scandal reaching all the way to the President of the United States. Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more.

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CLASSIC: The Surprisingly Unboring Story of Farm Subsidies

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Make no mistake -- being a farmer is hard work. Farming outfits often have to carry a huge amount of risk from one season to the next, and any number of things may ruin their prospects, from unexpected weather, market volatility and so on. To mitigate these dangers, world governments often provide funding, or subsidies, to agribusiness in order to lower risk and increase chances of farmers staying in business. In the US, these subsidies are a multi-billion dollar industry... but where does all that money actually go?

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Strange News: Tuvalu is Drowning, Chinese EVs, Eating Cheese and More

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 23:46:00 +0000

Australia is astonished as a full one-third of all residents of Tuvalu apply for the new, limited 'climate visa,' sparking concerns about the future of islands nations amid the global sea level rising. Chinese manufacturers are in hot water over an international scheme to flood markets with 'used' electric vehicles. A guy commits robbery dressed as Scooby-Doo, and studies prove cheese can give you nightmares. All this and more in the week's strange news segment.

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The Terrifying Tale of Aum Shinrikyo, Chapter Two: "Save The World By Ending It"

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

As the Aum Shinrikyo movements gains national, then global, attention, the founder Shoko Asahara begins to move his followers in a darker direction. Convinced that the world can only truly be saved through mass casualty events, Asahara first predicts massive disasters -- and then orders his followers to create these events themselves. In chapter two of this strange two-part series, Ben and Matt learn how Aum committed multiple acts of terror, murder, extortion and fraud leading up to their infamous sarin attacks on the Tokyo subway... and what happened to the cult in the aftermath.

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CLASSIC: Who killed the Jennings 8?

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Located in Jefferson Davis Parish, the town of Jennings, Louisiana wasn't a particularly well-known place -- in fact, many people in the US would probably have lived their entire lives without ever hearing of the town until a few years ago. You see, Jennings had a secret, a dark criminal underbelly that seethed just below the surface. Over the course of several years, multiple women were murdered under mysterious circumstances, inspiring journalists and federal investigators alike to dive into the increasingly strange connections between each homicide. And today the question remains: What happened to the Jennings 8?

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The Terrifying Tale of Aum Shinrikyo, Chapter One: The Rise of a Cult Leader

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:33:10 +0000

Modern-day Japan is often lauded as one of the safest countries on the planet -- but that doesn't make this nation immune to the danger of cults. In the first chapter of this special two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the bizarre, conspiratorial rise of the organization known as Aum Shinrikyo.

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CLASSIC: Citizenship and the Census

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 18:58:33 +0000

Every ten years, the United States conducts the census, a crucial survey of the country’s population meant to help Uncle Sam figure out how to plan infrastructure and distribute funding over the coming decade. In recent years, people have argued for and against including a question about citizenship on the census for any number of reasons ... including accusations of conspiracy. Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Mosquito Drones, the Pharoah's Curse, Alligator Alcatraz, Giant Asteroids, New Blood Types and More

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Forget fake birds: China unveils the newest iteration of microdrones, which look almost exactly like mosquitoes. A Russian soldier turns cannibal. French scientists discover a brand-new blood type. Police practice improv. Florida is building an "Alligator Alcatraz," and a giant asteroid may crash into the moon within the next decade. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Interview: Alive Again, with Dan Bush

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000

How did you get here? What happens when you die? These questions have fascinated (and terrified) human civilization since the dawn of time, and often new discoveries only lead to more questions. In tonight's interview, the guys welcome filmmaker, writer and producer Dan Bush to explore his newest podcast, Alive Again. Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion of existence, science, spirituality and mortality -- and what it means to die, then return.

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Listener Mail: Gas Station Ding Dings, Synthetic Estrogen and Fish Populations, Palantir and Train Hopping (and More)

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Anne Ominous shares their own experience with sketchy gas stations, and introduces the guys to a new slang phrase for gambling machines. Maximus weighs in with a true story about synthetic estrogen, waste water and fish populations. Following up on news about Palantir and train hoppers, Mr. Delay calls in to ask whether the growing surveillance society may drive some people off the grid. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What is diplomatic immunity? Part III: Shadow Diplomacy

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Everyone knows that diplomatic positions come with a variety of perks and protections, as well as serious responsibilities. But what if you were able to enjoy some of the benefits of being a diplomat, without all those pesky rules and regulations? While it may sound thoroughly illegal, shadow diplomats are very much real -- and a subject of growing concern. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel discover the troubling secrets of a hidden world rife with crime, corruption and conspiracy.

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CLASSIC: What is 'Skunkworks'?

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

For almost 80 years, Lockheed Martin has been working hand in hand with the US government to create cutting-edge, classified tech and craft, working in secret to build some of the world's most iconic spy planes. Nowadays, the so-called "Skunk Works" are more open about their projects ... or are they? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Iran, Hidden History, Ghana, Corruption in Office, and More

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:11:34 +0000

Things are heating up in the Middle East -- as the world studies a possible correlation between pizza orders and US military activity, the United States Air Force and Navy launch the largest B-2 operation in history, striking multiple sites in the nation of Iran. A curious trade group in Ghana protests a new tax regime. Over in Chicago, a long-serving legislator gets popped for frankly cartoonish levels of corruption. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Cults You've Never Heard Of, Part II: Rise of the Zizians

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:26:42 +0000

Nowadays, the "C-word" can be pretty tricky. The word "cult" is usually applied by outsiders toward some group of individuals existing in opposition to a larger society. Most times, these folks are harmless -- eccentric, perhaps, but not dangerous. In fact, we often don't hear about them until they cross a threshold into violent, criminal acts. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore more cults you've never heard of.

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Listener Mail: Leon Klinghoffer, a Strange Class Project, A Journey within Palantir.

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:29:12 +0000

John in Connecticut uncovers a bizarre story about one -- or maybe two -- Leon Klinghoffer. The guys' earlier conversations about data aggregation and AI remind Foxillian Fastfoot of a strange class project. An anonymous source placed in Raytheon reveals the disturbing inner workings of the tech giant Palantir -- raising serious questions about trouble on the horizon. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Stuff Gas Stations Don't Want You To Know

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

As avid fans of the Great American Roadtrip, Ben, Matt and Noel love gas stations. They're a fundamental part of US culture -- and, holy smokes, do they get weird. In tonight's episode, the guys dive into the crime, conspiracy, controversy and underground subcultures of America's filling stations and truck stops... all to discover that there's a ton of stuff Gas Stations Don't Want You To Know.

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CLASSIC: Colorado's Mystery Drones

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In December of 2019 the Denver Post began reporting a strange pattern over the night sky of northeast Colorado. Around 7pm each night, at least 17 drones -- large ones -- emerged from somewhere and flew over the region in what appeared to be a search pattern, disappearing between 9:30 and 10pm. No one, from federal agencies on down, seemed to know where these drones were coming from, who controlled them, or what they were doing up in the sky. If, that is, they existed at all.

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Strange News: The National Guard in LA, Costco ID, Japanese Escalators, Germany's Military Expansion and More

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:42:14 +0000

Massive protests in LA (not to mention many more US cities) prompt the federal government to send in marines and activate the California National Guard -- without the consent of the governor. Japan pays people to stand still on escalators. Germany plans rapid bunker expansion amid fears of Russian attacks. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Let's Learn Simple Sabotage!

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:30:00 +0000

In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel travel back to the chaotic days of World War II. The newly-minted Office of Strategic Services, which would later evolve into the CIA, conspired to pull off something as brilliant as it was evil: they created the "Simple Sabotage Field Manual," a secret textbook aimed to turn the average civilian into an active saboteur. The guys read the book, and give it rave reviews.

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Listener Mail: Agroterrorism, Dreams of the Future, Cattle Mutilations and More

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:33:48 +0000

Clever Innuendo gives a first-hand account of the US Military being super cheap with new tech. 2FAB shares premonitions from the dream state. Goat gets the guys back into cattle mutilation, and Jacqueramaphan prompts an investigation into possible agroterrorism. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Is there a lost civilization beneath the Persian Gulf?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 21:30:00 +0000

As one of the world’s most historically important bodies of water, the Persian Gulf is home to fascinating evidence of ancient humanity. In tonight’s episode, Ben, Matt and Noel discover the true story of an ancient civilization lost to antiquity.

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CLASSIC: Why do some people think cannabis can cure cancer?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:04:18 +0000

In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into a decades-long, surprisingly disturbing conspiracy: with a growing number of Western countries decriminalizing or outright legalizing cannabis, the controversial plant seems set to become an acceptable alternative to some preexisting treatments for appetite loss, chronic pain and more. Yet some supporters of medicinal marijuana products argue the chemicals in this plant can do much more than just make someone hungry or ease their pain -- marijuana, they argue, may actually cure cancer, and this is something the established pharmacuetical industry doesn't want you to know. So how do these claims hold up?

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Strange News: Suspicious Bodyguards, the Resurrection of Walt Disney, Palantir Will Know EVERYTHING About You, and Why That Is Bad.

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 19:03:01 +0000

The notorious tech giant Palantir may soon create history's most comprehensive -- and controversial -- database on all US residents. Why? Descendants of Walt Disney object to his animatronic likeness. Guinea pigs hate Adele. A bodyguard for New York mayor Eric Adams gets jammed up in shenanigans. Science shows insects are dying out at alarming rates. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Crime on the Rails: What is the FTRA?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:00:00 +0000

To some, the Freight Train Riders of America is a vast, secretive criminal network -- deadly ghosts, haunting the country's rails. To others, the FTRA is a loose collection of outcasts doing their best to help each other survive. To still others, the FTRA is nothing more than an urban legend, and never existed at all. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt dive deep into the hidden world of trainhopping culture, searching for answers to these conspiratorial tales. Be advised this episode may not be appropriate for all audiences.

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CLASSIC: Why don't nations trust NGOs?

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:00:00 +0000

On paper, non-governmental organizations often sound like something everyone can get behind: these institutions are often dedicated to addressing some of the most dangerous, long-running problems on the planet. It may be surprising, then, to learn that a growing number of nations are taking increasingly aggressive actions to ban NGOs, especially foreign ones. Supporters of NGOs argue these nations are attempting to fight progress in hopes of saving their own corrupt regimes -- but the opponents inside these countries claim many of those do-gooder NGOs are more sinister than they'd have you believe: instead of saving the world, critics argue, these insitutions are foreign-owned fronts for everything from illegal activities of intelligence agencies to acts of industrial espionage, forced regime change and more.

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Hunting For the Yeren: A True Story

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 20:20:00 +0000

We've all heard of Bigfoot, the Swamp Ape and so on. Western science largely dismisses the existence of these cryptids. Yet: Did you know there's another associated cryptid in China? Unlike Bigfoot, or the closely-associated Yeti, the Yeren became a subject of intense scientific scrutiny out in the hinterlands of interior China. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore China's multimillion dollar endeavor to prove the existence of their own Bigfoot.

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CLASSIC: A World Without Cash

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:00:00 +0000

The last time you bought something, did you use a card, cash or something else? If you automatically thought "who uses cash nowadays", you're far from alone. More and more people are eschewing physical currency for digital dollars, and this move seems largely supported by big banks as well some countries. Proponents argue a cashless society has no shortage of benefits for everyone involved, but critics suspect there are more than a few dangerous possibilities at play -- and something sinister may be afoot.

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Strange News: Ditch the Penny, Transparent Skin, The CIA and Star Wars, ChatGPT Refuses to Shut Itself Down, and More

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:14:09 +0000

The United States may FINALLY ditch the inconvenient and terrible penny (Ben here -- can you tell I write the descriptions?). A popular food coloring turns the skin of mice transparent. Investigations verify the CIA's use of oddly updated websites to communicate with assets. A new ChatGPT model refuses to shut itself down. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Super Soldier Update

Fri, 30 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

While it may sound like science fiction, human militaries throughout history have always sought for an edge over their enemies -- and, in this search, ethics quickly go out the window. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the latest updates in the creation of a modern "super soldier," from technological breakthroughs to designer drugs... and levels of genetic modification that may leave a soldier less human than before.

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Listener Mail: Gas Station "Casinos," Cannabis, Cryptids, Airport Disasters and Missing Faberge Eggs

Thu, 29 May 2025 20:25:01 +0000

Beuford breaks down the mechanics of gas station casinos. Josie explores the science of cannabis and oil-based products. Kangaroo fight updates. FrostyCold1 puts the guys on the strange case of missing Fabergé eggs. Fatigued and Flying explains the issues with air traffic controllers. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Bizarre World of Dream Experiments

Wed, 28 May 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Multiple animals dream -- and, even now, people have little understanding of why dreaming occurs. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore the newest research in dream states... and, spoiler: they end up with more questions than answers.

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Strange News: Regeneron Bought Your DNA, CA Birdpocalypse, AI Job Cuts, Free El Gato

Tue, 27 May 2025 19:40:27 +0000

Roundup pesticides get a pass from Georgia. CrowdStrike joins the AI craze. A mysterious birdpocalypse in California. Regeneron buys the bankrupt 23andMe, prompting concerns over consumer's DNA. Free El Gato. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: The Wide World of Food Conspiracies

Tue, 27 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Whether rich or poor, young or old, everyone on the planet has to eat. Government institutions monitor the safety, cleanliness and consistency of our favorite foods, but as with any global industry, there are more than a few skeletons in the collective closet of the food and beverage business. Join Ben and Matt as they dive down the gastronomic rabbit hole of food conspiracies in tonight's Classic episode.

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What happens in a nuclear war?

Fri, 23 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Since the US bombing of Japan in World War II, the world entire has remained terrified of nuclear weapons. Even as scientists and scholars spent decades warning about the existential threat posed by technology that can literally end civilization, countries across the planet raced -- and race still -- to gain this capability for themselves. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt ask: What actually happens in a large-scale nuclear war? (Spoiler, tune in for our upcoming episode: "What can I do to survive a nuclear war?"

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Listener Mail: Dreaming Aloud, Beyond Time

Thu, 22 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In this evening's weekly listener mail segment, "Ben," Matt and superproducer Tennessee Pal welcome in-depth explorations of dreams from a first-hand perspective. Join the gang as they suss out the tricky nature of linear time -- also, bonus points if you wrote to us earlier,

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Can we really break physics?

Wed, 21 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

"Why does stuff happen? Can we predict it -- and if so, what do these predictions tell us?" Loosely described, the concept of "physics" is the First Science of human civilization. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore recent discoveries that may well upend humanity's understanding of reality (also, spoiler: check out our upcoming episode on dreams).

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CLASSIC: The Smiley Face Murder Conspiracy

Tue, 20 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Could a group of serial murderers be kidnapping, drugging and drowning young men across the United States? Scores of young male college students have been found dead in what law enforcement calls accidental drownings -- but a team of retired detectives believe there's something more sinister at work. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the strange, twisting story of the Smiley Face Murders -- the fact, the fiction, the controversy and more, in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Octopus Civilization, Newark Goes Dark, Habeas Corpus, and the New Resource Arms Race

Mon, 19 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Afghanistan suspends chess due to religious concerns. Newark goes dark -- for just long enough to prompt serious questions. The world witnesses new escalations in the Great Game, as various corporations and countries race to acquire precious mineral resources. Since Ben and Matt always like to end on a good note, this week's strange news segment concludes with an optimistic discussion about octopus civilization, and how ethically fraught brain surgery might extend the known lifespan of that species.

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Interview: Cancellation Island, with John Cameron Mitchell, Part Two: Action, Praxis, Presence and Poetry

Fri, 16 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000

In a world where everyone feels divided by identity politics, ideology and the fear of cancellation, how does an individual navigate a cultural minefield? How can we empower and encourage direct action? In the second part of this two-part interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome returning guest John Cameron Mitchell for a wide-ranging exploration of the occult, Discordianism, saving innocent people and more.

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Listener Mail: Global Rare Earth Unrest, Fears of Martial Law, the Guys Hire an ICP Expert

Thu, 15 May 2025 20:48:55 +0000

Could growing regional conflicts be driven by the race to control certain mineral resources? Could the United States slide into martial law -- if so, what would that mean? Join Ben and Matt for all this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Interview: Cancellation Island, with John Cameron Mitchell, Part One: The Lost Art of Gnostic Nuance

Wed, 14 May 2025 18:41:43 +0000

What does it mean to be 'canceled'? How do we collectively navigate the baffling, complex and contradictory world of an 'always-on' society? In the first part of this week's special two-part interview, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome the legendary writer, actor, playwright and activist, John Cameron Mitchell, creator of Cancellation Island, for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from lizard people to gnosticism, the power of language, Aleister Crowley and everything in between.

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CLASSIC: Is the Dead Sea copper scroll an ancient treasure map?

Tue, 13 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Odds are you've heard of the Dead Sea scrolls -- when the first of these ancient texts were discovered in the 1940s, the scrolls revolutionized our understanding of the past, and, in some cases, gave historians and archaeologists more questions than answers. One scroll, discovered in 1952, remains unique in the collection. It doesn't contain religious information, and it doesn't recount earlier stories from the region. Instead, this scroll (the only one written on copper) appears to be a treasure guide. In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask: What happened to the gold, silver and artifacts catalogued on the scroll? Were these caches discovered thousands of years ago... or are these hidden treasures still somewhere out there today, waiting to be discovered?

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Strange News: AI Lovers, Cannabis Burns, Mineral Deals, Underground Cities and Nbiriu Rides Again

Mon, 12 May 2025 20:55:08 +0000

Concerns rise over human relationships with sycophantic chatbots. A town in Türkiye burns confiscated cannabis, prompting controversy. Former US officials the country spent trillions of dollars off the books to create disaster-proof underground cities for the elite. UKR-US mineral deals prompt accusations of quid-pro-quo deals. There may be a genuine MYSTERY PLANET back in play. Shoutout to Nibiru and so much more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: What is "Qanon"?

Fri, 09 May 2025 19:39:22 +0000

What if the stories and narratives you hear in the average mainstream media reporting aren't the entire truth? What if there's something else going on, a secret war between a shadowy cabal and a small group of brave, outnumbered good guys fighting back against their insidious plans for world domination? This is, according to QAnon proponents, a true story. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the origins of this uber-theory, the fact and fiction surrounding it, as well as the implications involved in this week's Classic episode.

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Listener Mail: Backmasking, More Meat Heists, and New England Murders

Fri, 09 May 2025 01:36:02 +0000

Twenty Novel Hotels prompts a re-exploration of earlier conversations regarding backmasking and moral panics. Fellow Conspiracy Realists respond to Ben's questions about meat heists and commercial trucking. Ignicus and others ask for more information regarding the possibility of an active serial killer in New England. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Prophecy of the Popes

Wed, 07 May 2025 20:51:57 +0000

It seemed the world paused on April 21, 2025, when 88-year-old Pope Francis passed away after a long struggle with multiple health issues. As the Catholic church and the world at large wonders what the future will bring, a once-obscure piece of writing is back in the public zeitgeist: the "Prophecy of the Popes," which purports to predict the ascension of all Popes up until the rise of the antichrist. Why are some people so concerned? Well, according to the true believers -- Francis was the second to last Pope in the prophecy. And the next just may be the final Pope, leading to the destruction of Rome and the end of civilization as we know it.

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CLASSIC: The Story of Atlantis

Tue, 06 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

The legendary civilization of Atlantis was first mentioned in the works of Plato, in dialogues that claimed to recount information from translations of ancient Egyptian texts. And people have been searching for this city ever since. So what was Atlantis, exactly? A metaphor, a work of fiction ... or a real, physical place? Join "Ben," Matt and Noel as they explore the fact and fiction of the ancient legend of Atlantis.

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Strange News: The Power Goes Out, Fluoridation, Rampant Masturbation, Disney, anti-Narcocorridos, and More

Mon, 05 May 2025 20:59:19 +0000

What caused the massive power blackout in Spain and Portugal? Anti-fluoridation activists gain ground in the wake of RFK Jr's newest statement. A former Disney employee gets in hot water for hacking menus. Mexico hopes to popularize anti-narcocorridos. The tariff controversy surrounding Amazon and the White House. The FBI may be close to eating its own. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

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What exactly is diplomatic immunity? Chapter Two: How To Get Away With Murder

Fri, 02 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000

OK, it's no secret that the law can apply differently to high-level diplomats and other government employees. But how far does this concept of immunity go? In the second chapter of this special two-part episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into intensely disturbing cases of crime, conspiracy, and geopolitical cover-ups.

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Listener Mail: Australian Cinema, The Barksdale Bubble, El Salvador and Dictators

Thu, 01 May 2025 21:29:50 +0000

Cake writes in with recommendations for Australian cinema. Spooky Pants prompts a conversation about the infamous Barksdale Bubble. Starship Home (aka Sugar Homie, aka Supercool Homie) prompts a far-reaching exploration of dictatorships, El Salvador, the US's responsibility for the booming illegal drug trade. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What exactly is diplomatic immunity? Chapter One: "A Gentleman's Agreement"

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In modern English, we often say "don't shoot the messenger." As Ben, Matt and Noel discover in the first chapter of this week's special two-part series, diplomatic immunity is an ancient concept with real-world consequences in the modern day. So, is it true that various world powers have agreed to let some people exist beyond the rule of law? Tune in to learn more about diplomatic immunity, including why some argue it's necessary -- and why some believe it's carte blanche for crime, corruption and conspiracy.

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CLASSIC: Interview: Radio Rental, with Payne Lindsey

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Have you ever experienced something bizarre -- some unexplainable coincidence, chilling interaction or even a run in with what some might call the supernatural? If so, then you may have the next story for Radio Rental. In this episode, the guys interview Payne Lindsey, creator of Up and Vanished, Atlanta Monster and more, about the inspiration behind his newest podcast, Radio Rental.

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Strange News: One Card To Rule Them All, Pop Culture and Space, Horrors of Kenyan Death Cults, and More

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 21:16:52 +0000

History's largest credit card merger looms on the horizon. Commentary on not-quite-space and a celebrity named Katy Perry. Ben takes the crew around the globe to learn more about wildlife piracy, the horrors of Kenyan cults, and the fascinating web of fentanyl, casinos, China and Mexican drug cartels. All this this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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What is Shock Incarceration?

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 21:43:29 +0000

Picture this: you're a bad kid. You've made a serious mistake, and may be facing incarceration. Yet Lo, and Behold! The US court system decrees you may avoid years in lock-up by going to an "intermediate sanction" program modeled after the military. Proponents say this helps first-time offenders get back on the right path. Critics, with extensive evidence, argue "shock incarceration" is a political convenience aiding and abetting crime, corruption, and conspiracy. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel learn the dirty truth at play.

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Listener Mail: Signal vs. Telegram, Supply Chain Raids, Everyone Hates EvilCore

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:29:20 +0000

Privacy Guy continues the conversation about encryption and state-level powers. Art Vandelay notes recent issues with tariffs and supply chains. Multiple Conspiracy Realists follow up with Ben and the gang on the actions of an insurance-adjacent business called Evicore. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Operation Ghost Stories

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

What if you had the perfect spy? Not some glitzy James Bond-type, but instead a person -- or an entire family -- spending decades in a hostile country, slowly acquiring information and status, while waiting for the right signal from command. It's one of the most fascinating stories in all of tradecraft: the "sleeper spy," a concept made famous in works of fiction like The Americans. As Ben and Noel discover in tonight's episode, it turns out the conspiracy is real - welcome to Operation Ghost Stories.

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CLASSIC: What really happened to the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke?

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +0000

It's one of the most enduring enigmas in American history -- how did an entire colony disappear from Roanoke island? Join the guys as they explore the facts, fiction and speculation surrounding the mysterious fate of the colonists, the clues they may have left behind and the search that continues in the modern day.

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Strange News: US on The Brink, North Sentinel Island, a Monster in Maryland and More

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Domestic and international tensions grow as US courts square off with the administration over the rendition of innocents. A hapless, would-be internet influencer finds himself in Indian incarceration after attempting to contact the people of North Sentinel island. Over in Maryland, multiple women accuse pharmacist Matthew Bathula of egregious spying and cyber-voyeurism. All this -- and much more -- in this week's strange news segment.

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STDWYTK Presents: A Conspiracy of Sound, Live in Brooklyn

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 14:27:48 +0000

True story - for years, Ben, Matt and Noel have wondered about the concept of sensory experience. Turns out On Air Fest was listening, and called them to New York. In tonight's episode, the guys present their live exploration: A Conspiracy of Sound, at Brooklyn's legendary National Sawdust.

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CLASSIC: Was Samuel Little America's Most Prolific Serial Killer?

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Born in 1940, Samuel Little was known in multiple states as a drifter, petty criminal and man occasionally capable of violence. Like many people living on the fringe of society, he seemed to slip through the fingers of justice despite numerous arrests. Yet intrepid investigators and improvements in DNA testing eventually proved Little was more than an itinerant drug addict and shoplifter -- according to the FBI, he is the most prolific serial killer in US history.

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What happened to Harold Holt?

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

On 17 December 1967, Harold Holt, the immensely popular prime minister of Australia, went for a swim -- and vanished. In the decades since, his family and the public still have questions about what exactly happened. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a mystery that remains unsolved in the modern day, along with a meditation on empathy, and a bevy of increasingly bizarre conspiracy theories.

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CLASSIC: The Afghanistan Papers

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:30:00 +0000

The United States invaded Afghanistan on October 7th, 2001 and remains embroiled in the conflict almost two decades later, making this the longest war in US history. Leaders from both of the dominant political parties continually argued that this was a winnable war, proposing new strategies, more troops, and more surges. Yet documents obtained by The Washington Post show that the long-running internal conversations painted a different -- and vastly more disturbing -- picture. Tune in to learn more about the Afghanistan Papers in tonight's Classic episode.

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CLASSIC: What happened to Jimmy Hoffa?

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

In his day, American labor union leader James "Jimmy" Riddle Hoffa was one of the most well-known figures in the US. On July 30th, 1975, Hoffa disappeared. He has not been seen, living or dead, since that day. In the decades following his death numerous investigators have tried (and failed) to figure out what exactly happened to this infamous American icon. So what actually happened to Jimmy Hoffa? Tune in to learn more in tonight's Classic episode.

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Interview: Up and Vanished Weekly, with Maggie Freleng

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Alien abductions. Unexplained disappearances. Unsolved murders. In tonight's interview, the guys join the legendary, award-winning journalist Maggie Freleng to learn more about her newest podcast, Up and Vanished Weekly.

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Listener Mail: Science and Astrology, Secrets of the Pyramids, and "Chicken Tax"

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:59:56 +0000

Astrolojon prompts an exploration of a possible scientific basis to astrology. Flea asks for more information about the viral claims concerning purported pillars deep beneath the Pyramids of Giza. AngryBizkitz inspires an investigation into the weird, conspiratorial world of tariff loopholes and the infamous "Chicken Tax." All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Prior Authorizations Conspiracy: EviCore

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:00:00 +0000

It's a story sadly all-too familiar with so many people in the United States: you're on the cusp of receiving medication, surgery or treatment that could save your life -- only for your insurance company to deny the treatment you've paid for. Through the practice of "prior authorization," private insurance companies bypass doctors to decide whether or not a patient is allowed to receive medical treatment. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the controversy surrounding the nation's largest manufacturer of "prior approvals" -- and learn the nuts and bolts of a conspiracy built on endangering innocent people in pursuit of profit.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Interview: Dark Waters: Corporations, Corruption and Pollution with Rob Bilott

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:36:37 +0000

When corporate defense lawyer Rob Bilott first learned about Wilbur Tennant's dying livestock, the frustrated West Virginian farmer was at his wits' end. He'd sought help from numerous local authorities to no avail, but he was certain DuPont was poisoning his livestock, as well as the surrounding area. Bilott's investigation led him down the rabbithole, deep into a web of contamination, chemical pollution and corporate cover-ups. Join the guys as they speak with Mr. Bilott to learn more about his first-hand experience bringing this mighty company to justice.

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Strange News: The Massive Tennessee Meat Heist, Roblox and Privacy, the CIA and the Ark of Covenant, Chemicals in Your Food and More

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:11:07 +0000

A massive meat heist in Tennessee leaves Ben, Matt and Dylan asking: "Who needs 80,000 pounds of off-the-books meat?" A babysitter learns there really is a monster under the bed. Back in the day, the CIA seemed genuinely convinced they discovered the Ark of the Covenant. Sucralose conspires against you! The US abducts an innocent US resident and sends him to a prison in El Salvador. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Big Chicken: A Fowl Conspiracy

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 22:26:42 +0000

Chicken! It's one of the world's most popular food stuffs, and nowadays it's a global, multibillion dollar industry. But a dark side comes with all that success -- including problems that, one day, may threaten civilization as we know it. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about Big Chicken.

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CLASSIC: The Far-out World of Deep Fakes

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:57:40 +0000

For centuries, it was often understood that "seeing was believing" -- while people might embellish a story, and write whatever falsehoods they wished, visually witnessing an event was solid proof of what actually happened in any given situation. Yet this no longer holds true in the modern age. Photographs have been faked since, well, the invention of photography, and video followed shortly thereafter. However, new technology is enabling the creation of fake video with an unprecedented level of sophistication and believability. So what happens when we can no longer believe our own eyes? How will the world react to the rise of the Deep Fake?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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What is the Disposition Matrix?

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:19:49 +0000

It's no secret that all powerful countries have used assassination as an aspect of statecraft. Yet in the wake of 9/11, the United States sought to bend — and, later, break — foundational principles of democracy in pursuit of a "Greater Good." In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a conspiracy institutionalizing the practice of state-sponsored, targeted murder, asking: What is the Disposition Matrix?Would you know if you were on the list?

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CLASSIC: What really happened to Amelia Earhart?

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Amelia Earhart was a living legend -- this high-flying aviation pioneer garnered international acclaim and accolades for her daring flights across the planet. On July 2nd, 1937, midway through a flight around the world, Earhart's plane disappeared. Although she was declared legally dead on January 5th, 1939, theories about the true story of her disappearance linger in the public consciousness today. So what really happened to Amelia Earhart? Why do some people believe she didn't actually die on that fateful flight?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Signal Leaks Worse than 23andMe, Bird Jokes, Japan Bans Moonies

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 22:37:07 +0000

Birds are fighting. A pilot loses a passport. Boeing scores a big win with a contract that will surely work out great. Let's hang out on Signal. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Interview: OBSCURUM, with Gabe Lenners

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Beginning in 2019, locals in rural areas of Nebraska and Colorado were astonished to witness multiple mysterious lights and objects in the sky. Everyone agreed something was up there, but no one seemed to know what this stuff could be. In this interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome Gabe Lenners, the creator of OBSCURUM, to learn more about his continuing investigation into a "circus in the sky."

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Listener Mail: The Piasa Bird, Bots and the Post Office, and Horoscopes for AI

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The guys explore the legend of the mysterious Piasa Bird. A Conspiracy Realist at the US Post Office inspires an exploration of post-human automation. Uncle Sam writes in with thoughts on discovering a possible scientific basis behind astrology. The guys crack up reading infamous Australian town names. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Why are so many spies getting busted?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Forget pretty much everything you've heard about James Bond. While loosely based on espionage tactics of yesteryear, actual human-based tradecraft is far less glamorous -- around the globe, intelligence organizations make long-term investments in games that run for decades, carefully cultivating assets with such secrecy that, true story, some folks genuinely don't know who they're working for. In recent years, an extraordinary amount of these individuals have been arrested, tortured, murdered, or simply... disappeared. So what's going on? Why are so many spies getting busted? Tonight, Ben, Matt and Noel aim to find out.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What are "Black Sites"?

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In the United States, people accused of crimes are entitled to certain well-known protections under the law. And, in the international sphere, global agreements theoretically guarantee certain rights to prisoners of war. However, in the wake of 9/11 elements of the US government felt these protections were preventing them from obtaining justice. They needed locations off the books. Places where the normal rules didn't apply -- places that, officially speaking, did not exist. Tune in to learn more about the rise of black sites.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: "Freedom Cities" are the New Company Towns, Sackler Family Doesn't Go To Jail

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:24:04 +0000

A phenomenally powerful international lobbying group -- Freedom Cities -- pushes the idea of US communities run by corporations. An opioid update reveals the Sackler family will pay money rather than prison time. A threat in Antarctica, while astronauts finally return home. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Trouble With Tariffs: the Smoot-Hawley Act

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 22:16:46 +0000

Tariffs! If you're like most people in the US, you probably didn't think much about the concept until recently -- it's always been one of those historical footnotes. However, the current news about proposed tariffs has the United States and the world overall in a tizzy. So what are tariffs? Why do some people love them, why do some people hate them -- and what can history teach us about the future? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel separate the fact from fiction.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: (non-human) Cognition, Diplomatic Immunity, the Cops Tell Us About The Manchester Pusher

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:16:34 +0000

Dognition asks for a nickname. Big Randy checks in. Multiple folks in the Greater Manchester area follow up with their opinions on murder. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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China Hacked The US Treasury -- And This Is Only The Beginning

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:39:40 +0000

With global impact and domestic dissent, the U.S. Treasury remains one of the world's most impactful institutions. What happens when this institution is compromised? In tonight's episode, the guys explore the harsh reality of successful conspiracies against the United States.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Film Conspiracies -- an Interview with Chuck Bryant, From Earlier

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:13:19 +0000

Did someone really hang themselves on camera in the Wizard of Oz? Did Stanley Kubrick hide a secret message in Eyes Wide Shut? It's no secret that the world of film is fraught with conspiracy -- both on and off the screen. But do any of these strange rumors and urban myths hold any sand? Join the guys with their special guest and long-time friend, Charles W. "Chuck" Bryant, cohost of Stuff You Should Know and creator of the Movie Crush podcast, as they separate fact from fiction in the world of conspiracies and film in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Love on the Train, Space Updates, AI as G-d, Pre-crime Targeting of Protestors, and More

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 20:33:04 +0000

Updates on space exploration. A seemingly-symbolic quarrel between an eagle and a goose. Large language models try out religion and pre-crime, all as a recent graduate gets deported for his political views. In other news, light becomes solid, prompting Ben and the gang to call for input from a physicist. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Astrology and the Government, Chapter Two: Fortune-telling in the White House

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:07:59 +0000

While astrology is often portrayed as a belief system of ancient empires and ages past, the popular assumption could not be further from the truth. In the second episode of this series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the times U.S. Presidents looked for guidance from the stars.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: The Prophecy of the Popes, Canada vs. the US, Sovereign Wealth Funds and More

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:46:29 +0000

Is the world genuinely witnessing the unfolding Prophecy of the Popes? The Wondering Wizard wants to know. Alpha Flight comments on the growing tension between the United States and Canada. Aaron A Aaronson inspires a future episode on sovereign wealth funds. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Astrology and the Government, Chapter One: The Myanmar Move

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Astrology! To true believers, this genre of divination provides deep inside to the secret mechanicisms of the Heavens and the Earth. To skeptics, it's bunk -- another mistaken set of beliefs best left to benighted empires of old. And yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in the first part of this special two-part series, astrology still can play a massive role in the modern world. In Chapter One, the guys explore the origins of astrology before traveling to Myanmar, where multiple rulers made extreme decisions based on what they believed was guidance from the stars.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Can weather make you "crazy"?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

For thousands of years, people have been convinced that the weather and the position of the moon can wreak profound havoc on human behavior. This belief continues in the modern day, with numerous law enforcement officers, medical professionals and more swearing people act strangely during the full moon. Additionally, science shows certain environmental factors, such as an extended lack of sunlight, can spark measurable changes in mood. So what's the truth here? Can the weather really make people go crazy? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the fact, fiction, and alleged ancient meteorological conspiracies in tonight's Classic Episode.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Wooly Mice, Severed Hands, and Space Updates (Spacedates?)

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:11:23 +0000

The race toward de-extincting mammoths (and other creatures) continues apace, here at what Ben calls "the end of history." The newest step toward this furry resurrection? WOOLY MICE. An unidentified bird drops a severed hand at a school. Also schoolteachers are getting in trouble for "pretending" to sell pills, and forcing kids to fight each other in Juvie. Hoping to end on a positive note, the guys come through with some fantastic space updates (side note: spacedates?) -- anyhow, all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Scam Factory, with Denise Chan

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:45:07 +0000

It's a harrowing story, often untold in the West: while everyone's tired of scam calls and texts, we rarely ask about the lives of people on the other side of the call. While it's devilishly easy to make light of the scammers and the con artists, the harsh reality is that thousands of people pushing scams are being forced to do so, often held against their will in what amounts to modern-day slavery. Following up on their earlier episode investigating the terrifying scam compounds in Myanmar, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome special guest, the award-winning journalist Denise Chan, to learn more about the continuing catastrophe in her newest project, Scam Factory, by Wondery.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Wide World of Shipping Conspiracies

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:11:00 +0000

Look around you as you listen to tonight's episode -- how far did these objects travel to meet you here? In centuries past, the average person would be surrounded by local objects. Today, the most mundane of possessions may have traveled more than halfway across the world to become your fabrics, your electronic components, your favorite snacks. Make no mistake: The world as we know it will collapse if our species stops shipping things across the planet. Global trade is dangerously close to a religion -- literally every nation has a set of laws applying to the passage of goods. So why are these laws so easily broken? Why do the same nations and conglomerates touting 'rule of law' seem to obey another set of rules?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Mysterious Star-Shaped Towers of Sichuan Province

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:56:18 +0000

True story: throughout China's Sichuan province right along the border with Tibet, the land is riddled with ancient towers of unknown origin. No one knows who built them, nor why. In tonight's episode, Ben and Noel explore the fascinating hidden history of architecture that withstood millennia of chaos -- and how an ancient series of towers survived the rise and fall of empires into the modern day.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Closed Cities: Secret Towns Kept Off Your Maps

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The majority of human beings currently live in urban areas -- and this trend seems set to continue. According to the most recent estimates, two-thirds of humanity will live in urban areas by 2050. However, not all cities are created equally. In fact, countries throughout the world are home to cities that, in one sense or another, do not officially exist. So what exactly are these secret, closed cities. What goes on there? Why are these areas hotbeds of the stuff they don't want you to know? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they unravel the mystery in today's Classic episode from 2019.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC STDWYTK, Live: Real-life Covens

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:16:26 +0000

True story: Ben, Matt and Noel know 'witches.' We’re all familiar with the spooky, stereotypical witch depicted in film, fiction and folklore – a creepy crone with a pointy hat, riding a broom through the sky and cackling at the moon, often accompanied by her animal sidekick. But how accurate are these depictions? Were there ever really any covens, any infernal Black Masses and secret rituals dedicated to the powers of darkness? Join Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know as the guys explore fact, fiction and controversy around the real-life stories of witches and covens. (Spoiler, this is a live show, which means the thing they call Ben is required to stay on the rails.)

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CLASSIC: Cryptids You've Never Heard Of

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Everyone's heard of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster -- but what about the hundreds of other cryptids rumored to exist around the world? Join the guys as they delve into the stories of cryptids you may have never heard of.

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CLASSIC: Conspiracy and the Cure: People Who Believe They've Cured Cancer

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Each year, millions of people across the planet grapple with some form of cancer. Doctors work around the clock to create better treatments methods, early diagnosis techniques and more, but for many people these innovations will sadly come too late. With so many lives on the line, it’s no surprise that multiple, unrelated individuals have claimed that they possess the cure for cancer — and that powerful forces are conspiring to keep this cure hidden from the masses.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

On March 8th, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished during a routine flight from Kuala Lumpaur to Beijing. While public -- and, later, private -- entities from across the region searched for signs of the craft, no one was able to figure out what exactly happened. Join the guys as they delve into a mystery that remains largely unsolved three years later -- the disappearance of MH370, and why some people claim there's a conspiracy afoot.

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CLASSIC: The Bizarre Clown Panic of 2016

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

It began in August -- five photographs of what appeared to be a sinister figure dressed as a clown loitering in a Green Bay, Wisconsin parking lot went viral. Eight days later, a local filmmaker admitted this was just an attempt to garner PR for an upcoming indie film... but the clowns kept coming. In the space of just a few months numerous people around the world reported being attacked or stalked by clowns. So what exactly was going on?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Yes, The CIA Hired Magicians, Chapter Two: The Hidden Hands

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:00 +0000

While it might sound weird to think of the CIA conspiring to hire magicians, tradecraft and stage magic actually have a lot in common: sleight-of-hand, misdirection, performance -- you name it. With all this in mind, the CIA hired globetrotting magician John Mulholland to teach the world's most dangerous spies the hidden strategies for magic, and how to translate these entertainment skills to real world theft, smuggling, and homicide. The catch? Mulholland could never breathe a word about this for the rest of his life.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Exploding Headsets, Firefighters, Attention Spans and Elon

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:41:02 +0000

Multiple Conspiracy Realists reach out regarding firefighters. Sacremento responds to the exploration of social media and attention spans. A Combustable (and stoned) Coyote ask for more information on the earlier story about exploding headsets. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Yes, The CIA Hired Magicians, Chapter One: The Craft and The Art

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:52:15 +0000

The US Central Intelligence Agency gets a lot of criticism these days - historically, the institution has a number of missteps. The thing about unorthodox "outside-the-box" approaches is simply this: some ideas work, and some ideas are superb. A few decades back, the CIA hired a magician.

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CLASSIC: The Nazi Gold Conspiracy

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 03:30:00 +0000

Toward the end of World War II, German forces realized they were in an unsustainable situation, on the losing side of a war rapidly drawing to a close. In an effort to prop up their wartime economy, the Nazi party stole and fenced tons of gold and other valuables -- and, depending on who you ask, some of that gold remains hidden away and forgotten in the modern day. Join the guys as they delve into the abiding rumors of hidden nazi treasure, as well as the Nazi banking conspiracies that may still be at work in the modern day.

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Strange News: Renaming Greenland, AI Running the Government, Eric Adams Goes Free, Drone DUIs, Fatbergs, and More

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:45:04 +0000

A massive olive oil heist. Some US politicians apparently genuinely want to annex Greenland, and rename it to "Red, White and Blueland." New York Mayor Eric Adams -- who's huge in Türkiye -- will have all corruption charges dropped. An update on Mangione's legal crowdfunding. Corporate chemical giant Bayer fights back against anti-pesticide activists. Sweden rolls out DUI laws for drone pilots. Fatberg updates. All this and more, in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: Smart Devices and Surveillance

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:26:41 +0000

If you're like more than 90% of Americans, you own a cellphone of some kind -- and it's no wonder. Like tablets or smart speakers, these handy devices are incredibly convenient, providing a universe's worth of knowledge at your fingertips... at a price. What exactly do your smart devices know about you, and where is all that information going? Tune in to learn more with Ben and Matt in tonight's Classic episode.

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Listener Mail: Exotic Landscapers, Telepathy Tapes, and Chimera Ethics

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 02:03:36 +0000

Colby Jack Cheese continues the conversation about chimeras. Ward invites the gang to a Bigfoot Festival. Mike gives a first-hand account of fighting fires out west. Plebe prompts a conversation about telepathic communication -- all this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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State Militias: Fact and Fiction

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:30:00 +0000

What does the Consitution say about self-armed paramilitary forces? Can a state create its own defense force, functioning under the supervision of a governor rather than the command of the larger armed forces? Inspired by an earlier conversation with Conspiracy Realist Anonymous Owl, the guys explore the bizarre position of state militias in the U.S. -- and what this odd legal arrangement may mean for the future of the country.

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CLASSIC: What is Gang Stalking?

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt as if somebody was watching, following or even stalking you? If so, you're not alone. Most people have, at some time or another, had an experience like this -- and, tragically, many people are physically stalked every year. Yet there's a strange twist to the tale: More and more people are claiming they're being stalked by a group of people -- a gang. Join Ben and Matt to learn more in this evening's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Elon Musk vs. the USA, The Egg Updates, Google AI Weapons, Pentagon News and More

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 02:00:48 +0000

Unelected "special government employee" Elon Musk continues to lead an unprecedented flurry of changes and cuts to US institutions - supporters call it good budgeting; critics call it an attack on democracy. Rising egg prices lead to a massive heist, and Waffle House is charging a per-egg fee to diners. The Pentagon changes its media stance, Google lifts its long-standing ban on AI weaponry. Oh, and Zombie Spiders. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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How Social Media Attacks Your Attention Span

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:30:00 +0000

What's the longest amount of time you've spent away from social media? For many of us, the answer is "not long." Across the planet, billions of people are caught in an endless cycle of posting, reposting, commenting, liking, and reacting to a constant stream of ephemera -- a never-ending barrage of news, updates, hot takes, memes and viral videos inundating our brains with one shiny thing after another. Most people consider these pursuits harmless... but, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, a growing number of experts are concerned that this continual short-form theatre may have serious consequences for the human brain. Tune in to learn more about how the age of social media may be affecting your brain in dangerous, often-unacknowledged, and lasting ways.

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Listener Mail: Mobile Phone Tracking, the Psychology of Healthcare, The U.S. is Firing So Many People

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:50:59 +0000

Anonymous Fed provides a chilling first-hand experience with the US government's recent and sudden moves to fire, lay off, or buy out numerous federal employees amid a flurry of other intensely bizarre moves -- Ben shares aspects of the now-infamous "Fork In The Road" email. Cosmic asks about favorite Magic: The Gathering cards, as well as the psychological effects of private healthcare. Curt prompts a deeper conversation about the fact and fiction surrounding mobile phone surveillance, Faraday grifts, and the nature of secret government programs. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Accident or Murder? The Mystery of the Manchester Pusher

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:36:12 +0000

Manchester, England is a city with an amazing history and -- according to some -- a terrible secret. For years a rumor has been spreading, first through local circles, and now across the globe. Could all the tragic deaths and disappearances near canals and waterways really be accidents, as law enforcement maintains today? Or could there be something more sinister at work... an active serial killer, operating with dark impunity? Join Ben and Matt as they delve into the harrowing theory of the Manchester Pusher.

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CLASSIC: ODESSA: The Secret Nazi Escape Route

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

As World War II drew to a close, multiple Nazi officials saw the writing on the wall: Germany would lose the war, and members of the Nazi party would have to answer for their crimes -- if, that is, they were caught. In a desperate bid to avoid justice, various factions of the SS and other Nazi officials created secret international escape routes called ratlines. Just how big was the operation? Tune in to learn more about the mysterious organization called ODESSA, and why it remains a subject of intrigue and controversy in the modern day.

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Strange News: Chinese Corgi Cops, Massive Tuberculosis Outbreak, ICE Cream Trucks, The Doomsday Clock, DeepSeek, and More

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:17:18 +0000

A Chinese Corgi Cop loses his bonus. The largest tuberculosis outbreak in US history is occurring, right now, in Kansas. A Las Vegas ice cream truck is mistaken for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- or ICE -- truck. The AI company DeepSeek sparks a massive stock selloff. Pope Frances officially dissolves Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. All this and more in today's weekly strange news segment.

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Horror in the Jungle: Crossing the Darién Gap, Chapter Two

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:55:35 +0000

As the only land bridge between South and Central America, the notorious Darién Gap is a lawless, unforgiving region through which thousands of people, every year, traverse in search of survival and escape. In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the harrowing reality of making this passage. Beset with bandits, crime, corruption, cartels and danger, innocent people are hoping against hope to survive the horrors of the jungle, and arrive at a better place in the north.

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Listener Mail: Chimera, The Bible, A Controversial Salute

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 03:31:12 +0000

Griffin explores the nature of chimera and ethics.Oz Woman prompts the guys to quote the Bible. Marvelous Marvin has questions about salutes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Horror in the Jungle: Crossing the Darién Gap, Chapter One

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 22:34:53 +0000

If you look at a world map, you'll see one tiny stretch of land connecting South, Central, and North America. As the only break in the great Pan-American Highway, the Darién Gap has long been one of the world's most inhospitable places. It's rife with crime, disease, and danger. Yet, in current decades, this single geographic chokepoint has evolved into what some describe as a migration 'superhighway' -- every year, thousands upon thousands of innocent people risk their lives traversing this lawless land on foot, hoping against hope for a better life in the north. In the first chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the history of the infamous Darién Gap.

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CLASSIC: Secret Rooms, Secret Societies and an Unexpected Guest

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 20:00:00 +0000

When the guys get together to trace the story of secret societies, they aren't expecting a surprise guest to crash their podcast, revealing first-hand experience with some the most elite, secretive organizations in the United States. Wait. How did John Hodgman get in here?

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Strange News: Billionaires are Booming, Elon Musk Cheats at Games, Pardons and Commutations

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:13:01 +0000

As one U.S. President leaves and another returns to office, both administrations launch an extraordinary number of pardons and commutations, sparking extreme controversy. Studies indicate the wealth of billionaires is exploding, with at least five trillionaires expected in the next decade. Amid other controversies, Elon Musk is accused of cheating at video games. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Whatever happened to Ambrose Small?

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:35:03 +0000

During the turn of the 19th century, a man named Ambrose Small ran Ontario's theatre scene. A known womanizer, gambler and all-around jerk, Ambrose made a ton of enemies with his business dealings. As the rise of motion pictures posed an existential threat to his industry, Ambrose cashed out, sold his business -- and disappeared. More than a century after the fact, people are still asking: What happened?

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CLASSIC: Inside Scientology with Mike Rinder, Part II: The Future of the Church

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 01:00:00 +0000

How many members does the Church of Scientology actually have? What are they doing in Clearwater, Florida? Perhaps most importantly, what is the future of Scientology? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they continue their interview with Mike Rinder, creator and cohost of Scientology: Fair Game, in the second part of this classic interview segment.

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Dangers of the Dark Web: Kill List, with Carl Miller

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:00:00 +0000

We've all heard of the Dark Web -- and it's often mischaracterized in popular media. But what happens when you find a site people genuinely think will help them pay for murder? In tonight's special interview, Ben and Matt join the award-winning tech researcher and author Carl Miller to learn more about his harrowing journey into the world of online crime, as he and his team race to save lives across multiple countries in his newest podcast, Kill List.

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Inside Scientology with Mike Rinder, Part I: An Origin Story

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:30:00 +0000

Founded in 1953 by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology describes itself as a religion that puts its adherents on a path toward complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel are joined by Mike Rinder, a former senior official of the Church and cohost of Scientology: Fair Game, for a first-hand, inside look at the organization in this classic interview segment.

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Strange News: The California Wildfires Update, Jack the Ripper Breakthroughs, Banning Food Coloring Additives, and More

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 18:00:28 +0000

As California continues to struggle with raging wildfires, the guys explore a proliferation of strange and disturbing allegations related to the ongoing disaster. Cloud-connected sex toys become a new, profitable target for hackers. Recently-discovered DNA evidence in the case of Jack the Ripper may lead to a new inquest -- perhaps finally solving the crimes. The FDA moves to ban certain food coloring additives in a (long-overdue) win for the public. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Cults and Catholicism: The Story of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 19:38:09 +0000

The Catholic Church is, by any measure, one of the largest religious forces on the planet. Throughout its long, at-times troubled history, it has weathered numerous scandals: accusations of abuse, crime, and cover-ups. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore the story of a still-unfolding case regarding an apostolic organization called Soladitium Christianae Vitae. Based in Peru, this group billed itself as a wholesome initiative to spread the work of Christ through engagement with the young and the poor. As the guys dig deeper, they uncover a vast, intergenerational conspiracy of abuse.

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Listener Mail: The Shepherd's Point, Dream Communication, and the Inevitable Rise of Superpowers

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:56:40 +0000

Mr. Wiggles responds to the earlier conversation with The Shepherd on the dilemma of food and monoculture. Cabeza de Vaca prompts a conversation about stunning -- alleged -- breakthroughs in dream communication. Colby Jack Cheese inspires Ben to explore the future of gene modification: Could we, one day, give humans physical attributes once restricted to specific animals? The guys speculate on which powers they'd choose -- and want to hear your picks as well. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Is Stockholm Syndrome Real?

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 22:23:24 +0000

Doubtlessly familiar to any fan of exploitative true crime shows, the concept of "Stockholm Syndrome" argues that people victimized by kidnappers, hostage takers, or even trapped in abusive relationships will tend to identify with their captors. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the surprisingly hidden origin story of this concept -- as well as discovering why experts worry law enforcement has weaponized this idea to further diminish and dismiss the experiences of survivors in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: Psilocybin: Fact, Fiction and Future with Robert Lamb

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:56:01 +0000

Evidence indicates human beings have been using psychedelics since ancient times, and a recent paradigm shift has launched a new renaissance in psychedelic research. Over the years psychedelics (and psilocybin specifically) have been the subject of both extremely positive and severely negative claims -- so what's the truth? In this episode, special guest Robert Lamb, host of Stuff To Blow Your Mind and Invention, joins the guys to explore the fact, fiction and future of psychedelics.

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Strange News: Fake AI Invades Social Media, Taliban Bans Windows, Rent Conspiracies, Airplane Stowaways and the Death of Mike Rinder

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:00:53 +0000

Facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta sparks massive public outcry as their plan to inundate social media platforms with AI bots backfires -- and, at the same time, the company removes fact-checking. The leader of the Taliba orders that buildings should not have windows looking into places where a woman could be sitting or standing. Investigators find two bodies in the wheelwell of a JetBlue aircraft. China hacks the US Treasury. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Luigi Mangione Story, Chapter Two: The Larger Context

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:34:37 +0000

As we record, Luigi Mangione is currently in police custody on suspicion of murdering former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In the second chapter of this ongoing investigation, Ben, Matt and Noel explore recent updates on the case, as well as the larger implications: What does the public reaction tell us about the growing divides in the United States? Why does establishment media and public discourse seem so starkly opposed? Is it possible that this event might inspire others to commit similar crimes? Tune in to learn more, and as always feel free to reach out to us directly: conspiracy@iheartmedia.com.

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CLASSIC: Animals At War: Fact vs. Fiction

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:50:43 +0000

Whether as beasts of burden, scouts, sentries or attack dogs, animals have been conscripted into human conflict since the dawn of recorded history. This practice hasn't changed in the modern day -- it's only evolved. Join the guys as they delve deep into some of modern history's strangest rumored (and confirmed) tales of animals in warfare, from would-be weaponized bats to tales of cyborg sharks, surveillance birds and more.

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The Luigi Mangione Story, Chapter One: A Murder in Manhattan

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:00:00 +0000

In the early hours of December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City as he walked toward the annual investor's meeting of his parent company, UnitedHealth Group. US law enforcement embarked on a massive manhunt. Several days after the murder, authorities in Altoona, Pennsylvania arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione on suspicion of committing the murder. In the first part of this multi-part episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore what happened, what evidence may or may not exist, and, perhaps most importantly: how this single event exposed a deep divide between the general public, the media, and the power structure of American society overall.

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CLASSIC: A Long Shadow: Life and Times of David Koch

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 15:03:36 +0000

When philanthropist, business magnate and political activist David Koch passed away, the media scrambled to address his legacy - but what is that legacy, exactly? Join Ben and Matt as they explore the life of David Koch, and the bizarre, insidious ways the political engine he helped create still welds enormous influence on the U.S. after his demise.

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CLASSIC: Conspiracies and Crime: The World's Biggest Heists

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 21:30:00 +0000

Everyone loves a good heist film -- but how accurate are they? Join Ben and Matt as they delve into the stories of modern history's biggest heists, actual criminal conspiracies carried out across the world to steal millions of dollars' worth of loot. Who got caught? Who got shot? Perhaps most importantly... who got away free, and where might they be living today?

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CLASSIC: Can memories be erased?

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 20:00:00 +0000

It sounds like a quandry straight out of science fiction -- given the opportunity, would you erase your own painful or traumatic memories? Join Ben and Matt as they separate science fiction from science fact (along with the fuzzy border in between), delving into the murky mechanics of memory, the treacherous way our brains handle recollections, and the profound implications posed by living in a world where memories can be artificially created, monetized, or erased.

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CLASSIC: The Rise of the Chimera

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 18:48:30 +0000

From ancient stories of shapeshifters to works of fiction like "The Island of Dr. Moreau", humanity has always been fascinating with the line between people and non-human animals -- but modern technology may finally allow us to create real-life chimeras. In fact, it already has. The only question here is how far scientists have actually gone in this regard (and whether that's something they don't want us to know).

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CLASSIC: Church Burning, Metal, and Scandinavian ‘Satanists’

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 21:19:11 +0000

In the 1990s international media was captivated by a bizarre epidemic of church arsons in Norway, often attributing these crimes to so-called Satanic groups and individuals in Norway's black metal scene. This was wrapped up in the larger phenomenon of "Satanic Panic", a widespread fear that shadowy, devil-worshipping cabals secretly control human civilization. So is there any truth to the story? Tune in as the guys explore the true story of the infamous Scandinavian church burnings.

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Religious Syncretism: The Ultimate Conspiracy?

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 15:34:40 +0000

Religions are as old as humanity, and predate the written word. They've also been home to a great many secrets -- in fact, some religions have been predicated on secrecy, and others are amalgamations of two preexisting belief systems. Join the guys as they explore the strange rise of religions, the ways in which they have melded over time and, ultimately, ask whether there are any real secret religions active in the world today.

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CLASSIC: What are the Phoenix lights?

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:47:06 +0000

Recent drone sightings across the United States inspire Ben, Matt and Noel to return with a Classic conspiracy episode: On March 13th, 1997, thousands of people in Nevada, Arizona and Mexico reported seeing bizarre lights in the evening sky -- today, more than two decades later, the Phoenix Lights are still considered to be one of the most significant UFO sightings in recent history. But what exactly were they? What really happened that night in March? Tune in to learn more.

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When was Jesus actually born? Chapter Two: Why December?

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Why is the Western world's most famous birthday celebrated on a seemingly-arbitrary date? As Ben, Matt and Noel discover in the second chapter of this special two-part holiday series, the power structures of ancient empires experienced a progression of conspiracies, geopolitical subterfuge and good, old-fashioned numerical miscalculation in their quest to give the global public a specific birthday for Jesus Christ. (Spoiler: they all knew December 25th was not Jesus's actual birthday, and created a fiction that continues today.)

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Listener Mail: Big Chicken, Modified Parachutes, and the Big Vegetarian Conspiracy

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

"The Shepherd" reaches out from France to explore earlier conversations about what, who, and how humans should eat. Phantom Flyer responds to the DHL airplane crash. Chickenado proposes fascinating conspiracies surrounding the global poultry trade. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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When was Jesus actually born? Chapter One: An Origin Story

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's December 25th, 2024. Across this wide world, people commemorate one of the most famous birthdays in all of history: the birth of Jesus Christ. Then as now, adherents of Christianity celebrate the coming of the Messiah -- yet why does this holiday occur on a specific date in, of all things, the Gregorian calendar? As the guys discover in this special two-part episode, there may be a conspiracy at play.

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CLASSIC: Contras, Cocaine and the CIA: The True Story of Barry Seal

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:04:36 +0000

Join Ben, Matt and Noel for a Classic conspiracy episode, which only grows more relevant as the years wend on: Across the course of his strange and checkered career, pilot and smuggler Barry Seal was called many things: An informant, a criminal, an asset for America's alphabet soup of intelligence agencies and more. He met an ignoble end in February of 1986, when he was fatally shot outside the Salvation Army facility where he'd been ordered to work in court-mandated public service. However, it turns out the official explanation of his death hasn't convinced everyone -- to this day, journalists, theorists and more continue to ask: Who really killed Barry Seal?

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Strange News: Mysterious Deaths Ignored, Landmark Assault Trial in France, Banning Junk Fees

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:19:33 +0000

OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji is found dead in what US officials deem a "suicide." French national Gisèle Pelicot takes an heroic stand in an assault trial fundamentally rocking the nation. Over in the US, a new federal policy may ban 'junk fees.' Also -- spoiler -- remember when Ben, Matt, and Noel bragged, in slightly frightened language, about the brilliance of fungal life? Turns out a species of fungi has evolved to thrive off the radiation at Chernobyl. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Illuminati of Online Dating, Chapter Two: One Match To Rule Them All

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:16:37 +0000

In the new age of social media and constant information, it seems there are countless dating apps, often specializing in any number of increasingly specific demographics and romantic preferences. However, as the guys discover in the second chapter of this special two-part episode -- a single company, Match Group, owns around 2/3rds of these seemingly distinct apps. Does this mean the company is a monopoly? Further, what does this mean for users of the services? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Pork Skyscrapers, Star Wars, EMDR Therapy, and a Letter From PETA

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:17:27 +0000

Outlier prompts an investigation of China's fascinating -- and, objectively, terrifying! -- "pork skyscrapers." Oz Woman shares first-hand experience with Project Blackjack, "Star Wars," and former President Ronald Reagan. Sarah explores the therapeutic benefits of EMDR. In Letters From Home, the guys receive a surprising co-sign from the folks at PETA. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Illuminati of Online Dating, Chapter One: The Game of Love

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 21:10:12 +0000

Prior to the emergence of chronically-online civilization, people often met romantic partners through geographical, socioeconomic, or religious proximity. In recent evening, a proliferation of internet-powered websites and applications promise to connect you with someone you will absolutely love... perhaps for life, perhaps for a night. And, while all these venues of romance may seem distinct, Ben reveals the truth to Matt and Noel: there is a real -- and dangerous -- conspiracy afoot.

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CLASSIC: Pop Music, Black Magic and Murder: The Mona Fandey Case

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Born Nur Maznah Binti Ismail in Kangar, Perlis, the musician Mona Fandey achieved national success with her song Ku Nyanyikan Lagu Ini in 1987 -- yet her career seemed destined to slowly fade away, with Mona and her husband living out their lives in comfortable obscurity. Until, that is, in 1993, when Mona Fandey became the prime suspect in a gruesome murder that led many people to believe she'd secretly been an evil bomoh, practicing the art of dark sorcery for decades before finally being brought to justice. So what's the truth? Was Fandey mentally ill? Was she framed? Or was there something more sinister and sorcerous afoot?

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Strange News: The Mystery Drones, AI Granny Versus Scammers, Santa as a "Foreign Agent," YMCA, Grocery Store Monopolies, DRC Mystery Disease, Elite Russian Goats and More.

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:35:16 +0000

An AI-generated Granny baffles and bedevils phone scammers across the UK. The US collectively freaks out as unidentified swarms of drones appear over multiple cities. Some Russian politicians want to declare Santa a foreign agent. The largest supermarket merger in history goes sour in court, with Albertsons calling off the merger and suing Kroger. Russia sends an elite force to North Korea -- not 100 soldiers, but 100 top-tier goats. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Third Man Factor, Chapter Two: The Science and The Spirit

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:56:32 +0000

Could mysterious, possibly supernatural strangers really appear at just the right time to save someone's life? It's a question that's haunted humanity since the days of ancient empires. To many, these could be guardian angels or spirits of loved ones. However, modern scientists are increasingly researching the enigmatic "Third Man Factor" and, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in the second part of this special two-part series -- the experts may have found some clues to the puzzle; small bits of information that, when combined, might not just explain the Third Man phenomena -- but also habve stunning implications for the interaction of science and spirituality overall.

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CLASSIC: The Death of Jeffrey Epstein

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:18:02 +0000

Earlier this year the guys traced the rise of the enigmatic financier and child abuser Jeffrey Epstein, discovering a quagmire of crime, corruption and cover-ups implicating some of the world’s most powerful individuals. It seemed Epstein’s connections effectively placed him above the law - at least, that is, until renewed public scrutiny and criminal investigations found Epstein arrested once again and, this time, placed in a real prison. Many speculated Epstein would never go to trial. On August 10th, he was found dead in what the media described as an “apparent suicide”. So what happened?

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The Third Man Factor, Chapter One: "Who is the third who walks always beside you?"

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Imagine you are on the edge of death. You're summiting Everest, surviving on a space station, lost in the woods or losing consciousness after a car accident. Suddenly, a mysterious presence appears: "Keep going," it says, "take my hand. Stick around just a bit longer, and I will lead you home." This experience exists across cultures and time -- in the past, humans deemed it the intervention of the divine. Today, it's often called the "Third Man Factor." In the first chapter of this week's special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the concept of a benevolent stranger appearing just in time to save your life -- then, once the danger has passed, disappearing without a trace.

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CLASSIC: Uncle Sam Opens The Gateway: The Monroe Institute

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

From the late 1970s to the 1980s, the US Government paid for intelligence officers to undergo weeklong training sessions at a remote place called the Monroe Institute. Training sessions themselves aren't particularly abnormal -- but these officers weren't learning new languages, the latest news about satellites and so on. Instead, the Institute was using hypnosis to teach them astral projection, ESP and clairvoyance. The news went public via a declassified CIA document released in 1984, but questions remain: Was this all a waste of money? Or was there something else to the story?

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Strange News: Australia and the UK need Spies! South Korea Fights Itself, Oxford Loves Brain Roat, A Criminal Detective Dies in Kansas, You're 9 Billion Dollars Away From Execution in Vietnam.

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 21:03:04 +0000

In this week's strange news segment, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the Anglosphere's need for active trade and craft. The Oxford "Word of the Year" -- "brain rot," occurring as a Vietnamese billionaire dodges execution; a Kansas detective, confronted with crimes, dies in a widely-reported story. All this and more as the asteroids move through the void -- if you survive, did you sense some presence inspiring you?

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Thank You, Dr. Fauci, with Jenner Furst

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:00:00 +0000

In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, human civilization has grappled with global chaos -- and, even now, experts disagree on the provenance of this infection. How did it get here? Where did it come from? In tonight's interview, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with Jenner Furst, the award-winning documentarian and creator of "Thank You, Dr. Fauci," to learn more about his terrifying exploration into the questions surrounding the emergence of COVID. Is the official narrative correct ... or is there Stuff They Don't Want You To Know?

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Listener Mail: Falun Gong, Eye Movement Desensitization, Is Genetic Memory Real?

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 02:37:23 +0000

Winter Juniper notes Falun Gong is accused of human traffikicking. Eye movement feedback may provide breakthroughs in therapy - the boys discuss "Genetic Memory." All this and more in this weekly listener mail segment.

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What is Crime Tourism?

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 21:36:56 +0000

What would you do if folks in your home country offered you the chance to travel abroad, all expenses paid -- with one caveat: do some crime? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bizarre, conspiratorial world of crime tourism.

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CLASSIC: Marm Mandelbaum, the Queen of Thieves

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:00:00 +0000

How did a young, struggling German immigrant build one of the country's most successful criminal empires? In this classic live episode, the guys join with Holly Frey, cohost of the award-winning podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class, to explore the life, times and reign of America's first mob boss, Marm Mandelbaum.

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Strange News: Spies May Be Sabotaging DHL, Pokemon and the Military, A Drug Gnome, DB Cooper, and More

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:26:38 +0000

A tragic airplane crash -- coupled with a series of sinister, earlier explosions -- prompts serious concerns that someone, cough, cough, Russia, may be executing test runs for global espionage. KFC steps back promise to stop using 'Frankenchickens' in the UK. Mobile game Pokémon Go may be in bed with militaries, leveraging data for mass surveillance. Dutch police find a gnome made of MDMA during a drug bust. A new revelation regarding the mysterious 1971 D.B. Cooper skyjacking, and much, much more in this weekly strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: Have any celebrities been secretly replaced?

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:12:07 +0000

Did the real Paul McCartney die in a car accident, only to be replaced by a doppleganger? What about the similar stories surrounding Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, Saddam Hussein and more? Join the guys as they explore the facts, fiction and plausibility of celebrity body doubles, replacements and more.

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Listener Mail: Kangaroo Court, The Blue Zone Conspiracy, Fake Court TV, and Letters From Home

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Darcy prompts a conversation about the etymology of "Kangaroo Court." Blue About Blue Zones inspires Ben, Matt and Noel to explore what may well be an ongoing conspiracy to ignore inconvenient facts. Beefy shares a first-hand experience with television programs appearing to be genuine courts. In Letters From Home, the guys learn multiple naughty puns. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment, brought to you by Thanksgiving and our good friends at Illumination Global, Unlimited.

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Fecal Transplants: The Future of Poop

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 23:08:07 +0000

From prince to pauper, from empress to enemy, literally everybody poops. And even now, in 2024, civilization is learning more about the fascinating, disturbing implications of gut flora -- the world hidden within you, as you listen to tonight's episode. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the strange science of fecal transplants, the idea that you can put one person's poop in someone else and, just maybe, save their life.

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CLASSIC: Project Horizon: The Secret US Moon Base

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000

There have always been conspiracy theories about secret structures on the lunar surface, and in modern decades numerous fringe researchers have alleged that various governments have already built some sort of permanent structure on the moon. It sounds pretty out there, but could there be a grain of truth to the stories? Tune in to learn more about Project Horizon in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Bear Fraud, Iraq and Child Marriage, The Onion Buys Infowars, China's Peruvian Megaport and More

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000

A Swedish leader is terrified of bananas. A group of ne'er-do-wells get busted for bear fraud. Some Iraqi politicians want to lower the legal age of consent to 9 years old. The Onion buys Infowars. A US defense contractor pays out 43 million USD for its role in torturing Abu Ghraib detainees. Over in Peru, China's building a megaport - and no one's sure what will happen next. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Troubled Border of Myanmar, Chapter Two: Slavery in the Information Age

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:56:44 +0000

Modern-day Myanmar remains home to a unique cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty -- yet today it's also home to a wide range of deeply disturbing conspiracies and crimes. In part two of this special two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the booming criminal industries of the country - especially entire communities dedicated to human trafficking and online scams.

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Listener Mail: Election Conspiracies, Wild Animal Legislation, and What To Do When You Find An Injured Animal

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:40:28 +0000

In this week's listener mail segment: Old Makalya responds to the hubbub surrounding the tragic death of Peanut the Squirrel. Bones prompts a larger conversation about elections and conspiracies. Anonymous Owl provides a step-by-step guide for saving animals in the wild. All this and more - plus, side note, we absolutely called it on the undersea cable sabotage.

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The Troubled Border of Myanmar, Chapter One: A Peaceful History. A Terrifying Present.

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Most people in the global west aren't too familiar with Myanmar. Formerly known as Burma, the Southeast Asian country has a deep history as a cultural and geographical crossroads -- and this has become both a gift and a curse. In the first part of this special two-part episode, Ben and Matt explore the history of Myanmar, its descent into chaos, and how multiple forces conspired to make it a modern hotbed of instability, crime, and corruption.

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CLASSIC: The Windover Bog Bodies

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 19:00:00 +0000

In 1982, in Titusville, Florida, construction worker Steve Vandejagt happened across a skull amid the muck and debris of the job site. And this was only the beginning of the mystery. Steve had accidentally uncovered one of the oldest gravesites in the United States, proof of an ancient, mysterious culture that existed more than 7,000 years ago. Join the guys as they dive into the story of the Windover Bog Bodies.

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Strange News: Did Russia Just Threaten The Next President? A Wicked Debacle. FDA Pulls Decongestant From The Market

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 20:01:44 +0000

In this week's strange news segment: In the wake of the recent US Presidential Election, Russian President Putin's aide Nikolai Patrushev releases a bizarre statement about "obligations." A misprint on merchandise for the film adaptation of Wicked takes some consumers to adult content. The US FDA announced a proposal to remove oral phenylephrine from the market, citing evidence that it doesn’t work. All this and more, plus a lot of puns.

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The Disappearance of Andreen McDonald: A Larger Context

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:12:23 +0000

On paper, Andreen and her husband Andre McDonald lived a life most Americans would envy - a self-made millionaire power couple, the McDonalds regularly contributed to philanthropic causes in their native community, as well as in their San Antonio community. On March 1st, 2019, Andreen McDonald was reported missing. In tonight's exploration, Ben, Matt and Noel map out the heartbreaking events, while also examining the larger, multigenerational context often left unexplored. Warning: this episode may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, please don't hesitate to reach out for resources and support. The US Domestic Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at the following number: 800-799-7233.

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Listener Mail: Chinese Spyware, The Amish, DC, and Letters From Home

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 04:24:59 +0000

Don Vee shares on-the-ground experience with Amish millionaires. Wonko the Sane reaches out on the story of Chinese tech espionage. A Phlounder reacts to Ben's earlier question about social media, and the gang gives Dupont Dave some choice recommendations for tourism in Washington, DC. All this and more in tonight's listener mail segment, hurtling headward toward the American celebration of Thanksgiving.

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Are TV Court Shows Real?

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000

If you've ever had the dubious pleasure of watching daytime TV in the US -- possibly in a waiting room -- then you've probably witnessed a particular genre of programming: the TV court show. From far enough away, these shows look a lot like an actual court. You've got the usual courtroom cast, along with an escalated version of actual courtroom events. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask: Are these shows real? What exactly do we mean by "real"?

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CLASSIC: Eye tracking and Advertising

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:24:12 +0000

Ads are ubiquitous on the internet, and even if you use an ad blocker or two, you're bound to see a few things slip through. Luckily, those ads don't really give advertisers any new information about you unless you interact with them... right? Not so fast. Eye tracking technology can glean an enormous amount about your attention, as well as your reactions to a given image or piece of language, just by watching how you watch, gaze or glance at an ad. So how much can they learn, exactly? Does eye tracking allow companies to, in some sense, read your thoughts? Strap in for the answers to these questions and more in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Peanut the Squirrel, Nashville Drone Attack, Mystery Song Identified, IKEA Finally Pays East German Prisoners

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 23:31:52 +0000

The tragic saga of Peanut the Squirrel becomes oddly politicized. The Feds prevent a massive drone attack on a power station in Nashville. IKEA agrees to pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners. Hackers demand payment in baguettes, and the guys tease a mysterious scandal out in Oklahoma. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: The Red Market: Is China Executing People To Harvest Their Organs?

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Until the day we're able to manufacture affordable, reliable organs from scratch, organ transplants will remain the only hope for millions of sick and dying people across the planet. For this reason, organs have been a big business for decades -- and not all aspects of the business are legal. For years rumors have been brewing about the organ trade in China. Why is the waiting time for a transplant so low? Where are all these organs actually coming from? The answer may terrify you. Strap in as the guys dive into the stuff China doesn't want you to know about the organ trade in tonight's Classic episode -- and don't forget to check out our (extremely creepy) video on YouTube.

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Listener Mail: Bank Scandals, Amish Abuse, Letters From Home and Some Terrible Jokes

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Viking asks about Ferengi and bank scandals. Solar Boredom follows up on the earlier episode about abuse in Amish communities. Multiple Conspiracy Realists chime in with Letters From Home, and Humorous Harry returns with several absolutely awful jokes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Mysteries of Laos: What is the Plain of Jars?

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:10:07 +0000

Over in Southeast Asia, the landlocked nation of Laos remains one of the least-explored areas in the region, even today. And those few outsiders fortunate to travel to this country may encounter a mystery that's baffled investigators for centuries (if not millennia): What is the Plain of Jars? What could have inspired ancient civilizations to build hundreds upon hundreds of giant, stone jars out in northern Laos? Why did the US government spend so much time planting bombs in the area?

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CLASSIC: Project 1794: A Real-life Flying Saucer

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 17:24:42 +0000

Flying saucers are perhaps the most iconic genre of UFO -- since the 1940s they've become the mainstay vehicles for extraterrestrials in all sorts of fictional stories. But, according to declassified files, the US Government was intensely interested in building some flying saucers of its own. So far did they get? The answer may surprise you in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Russia Fines Google, Witch Marks in the UK, Stolen Bluey Coins and More

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:34:39 +0000

The Russian government fines Google 2.5 decillion dollars. Witch marks baffle investigators in the United Kingdom, police recover thousands of stolen Bluey coins, an ancient city is rediscovered in Mexico. Google AI makes some waves, Des Moines brings back trick-or-treating, elephants may sue for freedom in Colorado. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Dangerous Thoughts: What is an Infohazard?

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Warning: this episode contains thoughts and concepts that may endanger your understanding of reality. You can turn back now, or [REDACTED].

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Listener Mail: A Mysterious Death at Walmart, Boeing's Exploding Satellite, The US vs. Chinese Software, and a Heart-felt Apology to "Paint-huffing Maniacs"

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 16:45:29 +0000

Police release new details on the tragic, mysterious death of 19-year-old employee at a Walmart in Halifax. A Boeing-manufactured satellite exploded after experiencing an unexplained “anomaly." The US struggles to determine how -- or if -- to allow Chinese software in the US. The guys apologize to "paint-huffing maniacs." All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Rise and Fall of Paul Bergrin, with Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000

For much of his early life, Paul Bergrin was a success story. A middle-class kid from Queesn, he became a veteran, a lawyer, and a prosecutor. Yet somewhere along the way, he slowly slid into true crime and conspiracy -- an astonishing and disturbing tale explored in-depth in the Wondery's new podcast, Criminal Attorney. In tonight's interview, Ben, Matt and Noel are joined with the legendary Brandon "Jinx" Jenkins, the host of Criminal Attorney, to learn more about the bizarre rise and fall of Paul Bergrin.

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Classic: Vaccines: Fact vs. Fiction

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:59:41 +0000

Through the process of vaccination, millions of people have avoided serious (at times fatal) medical conditions, but opposition to the practice began almost immediately after vaccinations became widespread. And in the modern day the anti-vaccination movement has seemed to gain more ground than before -- so what's going on here? Join the guys as they dive into the history of vaccination, the claims of the anti-vaxx movement and why some people insist there's a conspiracy afoot. Side note: we recorded this in 2019... right before the Covid pandemic rocked the globe.

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Strange News: Oligarch Goes Splat, Fake Whale Sharks, Bank Shenanigans, Boeing Satellites, North Korea and Abercrombie

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000

Another Russian oligarch is found dead after an 'unfortunate fall.' North Korea declares holy war on South Korea as it loans out soldiers to Russia. A fake whale makes controversial waves in China (get it?), TD Bank fined $3bn in historic money laundering settlement. Boeing satellite experiences 'rapid unplanned disassembly.' AI radio journalists, the deeply disturbing Abercrombie sex trafficking scandal, ICP and politics -- all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Ongoing Amish Abuse Scandal

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0000

For most people in the United States, the Amish are a sociological curiosity: a group of people motivated by theological imperatives that require them to exist within society, yet separate from all its secular trappings. However, as we dive into this episode, Matt, Noel and I learn there's something rotten within this community... a series of intergenerational, likely ongoing, conspiracies involving sexual abuse, crime and more. Please note this episode may not be appropriate for all audiences.

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Listener Mail: The Hybrid Sheep Conspiracy, A Kentucky Homicide and Theory on Exploding Pagers

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Jasper, DJ and multiple other Conspiracy Realists reach out with first-hand knowledge on the bizarre hybrid sheep conspiracy. Mystery drones swarm US airspace. Max The Unblind hips the guys to an unfolding homicide in Kentucky, and T Bone provides an alternate theory on the exploding pagers attack. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Sportswashing: Why Saudia Arabia Suddenly Loves Golf

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying: golf is one of the world's most popular -- and most lucrative -- sports. In recent years the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has raised global eyebrows as they pour billions of dollars into their own golfing initiative: LIV. Supporters find this move par for the course (get it?), yet critics allege there's a larger conspiracy afoot. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the strange allegations surrounding Saudi Arabia, golf, and 'sportswashing.'

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CLASSIC: The 9 Angles: Does Satan have a “military”?

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000

While the vast majority of people identifying as Satanists don’t buy into the idea of a nefarious, evil entity opposed to the forces of good, there are a few genuine theistic Satanists out there. Join the guys as they explore the strange story of the organization known as “The Nine Angles” in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: FEMA Under Attack, Active Shooter Drills, DPRK Declares "Holy War," Europa, Deadly Ottomans and More

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 19:10:00 +0000

Conspiracy theories proliferate in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, resulting in actionable threats against FEMA contractors. Mysterious goo appears on the shore. Active shooter drills terrify local institutions. An ottoman bed kills an innocent woman, scientists explore Europa; all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: The Camp Minden Conspiracy

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000

In October of 2012 a huge explosion rocked Camp Minden, a little-known government compound located in Louisiana. The explosion shattered windows 4 miles away. A 7,000-foot mushroom cloud contaminated the area and eyewitnesses understandably wondered whether they'd been the victims of a nuclear detonation. So what exactly did happen? Tune in to learn more about the conspiracy afoot at Camp Minden.

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What was the Ludlow Massacre? Chapter Two: Conspiracy, Disaster, and Aftermath

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:08:18 +0000

As tensions between striking miners, local law and the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company reached a head, all sides of the conflict became increasingly hostile. In the second chapter of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the outbreak of the Ludlow Massacre, along with the aftermath that reverberates in the modern day.

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What was the Ludlow Massacre? Chapter One: The Colorado Coal Rush

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:53:45 +0000

Unions and governments have always had a complicated, at-times antagonistic and violent relationship. In the first evening of this week's special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a terrifying tale of corruption, crime and conspiracy: What was the Ludlow Massacre?

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CLASSIC: Did John Astor steal Captain Kidd's treasure?

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:34:22 +0000

German immigrant John Jacob Astor was the first multimillionaire in the United States, and his descendants would go on to play prominent roles in the country's history -- but how exactly did he get this enormous fortune? According to the official story, he started off in the fur trade and later expanded into real estate. Yet for more than a century people rumors about the real origin of Astor's wealth have been floating around the fringes of converation -- what if he wasn't a legitimate businessman in the beginning, but instead engaged in less savory endeavors? Learn more in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Potato/Blood Space Bricks, The Waffle House Index, Taxing Hostages, APD Investigator Shot

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:05:30 +0000

Answering a question... someone must have asked, scientists confirmed potatoes are better than human blood when it comes to building space bricks. The IRS may require hostages to pay back taxes unless Congress intervenes. An APD investigator is shot after breaking into a Douglas County home. The Waffle House Index, spy news, and more in the week's strange news segment.

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The Leonard Peltier Story

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:22:54 +0000

As you hear tonight's episode, Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned for the better part of half a century, convicted of murdering two FBI Special Agents -- crimes that he and countless supporters argue he did not commit. Join Ben, Matt, and Noel as they dive into the accusations surrounding Leonard's case, from the official case... to the ongoing allegations of corruption and conspiracy.

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Listener Mail: State Militias, Fentanyl, Microplastics, and More

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:48:54 +0000

Lisa breaks down some of the issues surrounding the fentanyl epidemic. Chef Ben talks microplastics. After encountering a bizarre question at jury duty, Anonymous Owl asks to learn more about state militias. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Psychic Cold War: Countermeasures

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 16:24:31 +0000

It's true: multiple world governments have, at one point or another, experimented with the possibility of psychic powers. These investigations were always considered controversial... but the possibility of discovering something real was just too important to pass up. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel respond to a question from an earlier listener mail segment: If governments did discover psychic powers, what countermeasures would they deploy to defend themselves from these same capabilities?

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CLASSIC: Is there really a hidden pyramid in Alaska?

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 18:12:40 +0000

When most people think of pyramids, we imagine the pyramids of Egypt -- but they're by no means the only example of this ancient architecture. In this Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore more stories of strange, lesser known pyramids, concentrating on the increasingly bizarre claims of pyramids hidden in the planet's northern climes, from Alaska to Antarctica.

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Strange News: Robot Dogs (Called It!), Boar's Head, Eric Adams and a Memory Crystal

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:48:47 +0000

Remember when we said it was only a matter of time before robot dogs got guns mounted on them? Well, guess what! Also: a Boar's Head update, the bizarre case of Eric Adams, the push to transcribe the human genome to a memory crystal; that and much, much more in this week's strange news segment.

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Can you remotely blow up a mobile device?

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 21:21:53 +0000

On September 17th, 2024 thousands of pagers intended for use by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon and Syria. The next, hundred of walkie-talkies detonated in the same manner. This operation was precedented in design, but not in scale -- and across the planet, people began to wonder: Is my own equipment safe? Can you really remotely blow up a mobile device?

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Listener Mail: Recent Calamities, Three Mile Island, Addiction and The Dead Live Within You

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:10:45 +0000

Would you donate your body parts? Should nuclear facilities feed AI? What do more people need to know about addiction? All this and more in this week's strange news segment -- spoiler: stay tuned for the episode this Friday.

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CLASSIC: The Shugborough Inscription Cipher

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 17:07:49 +0000

Located in Staffordshire, England, the Shepherd's Monument is a bas-relief recreation of Nicolas Poussin's painting “Shepherds of Arcadia”. However, the sculpture has several key differences -- one of which has baffled historians, experts and others for centuries: What's that mysterious inscription? What on Earth could it mean? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Maritime Updates, A Child Recovered, The United States Murders Marcellus Williams

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:38:40 +0000

A billionaire's sunken yacht holds sensitive data -- and governments want it. A child abducted in 1951 is found alive. The United States cosigns the execution of Marcellus Williams despite public outcry -- including protests from the original jury, prosecutors and defense. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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My Momma Told Me, With Langston Kerman and David Gborie

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:47:21 +0000

Did you ever grow up hearing a story or fact that, years later, you learned wasn't true? The podcast My Momma Told Me, hosted by Langston Kerman and David Gborie, dives deep into the world of conspiracy in the Black community. In tonight's interview, they join the guys for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from ghosts, moon landing conspiracies, fast food, and more. (Also we shamelessly try to score tickets for their upcoming live show.)

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Listener Mail: Terrors of Adoption, Black Sludge is Poop, the Dangers of an AI-driven, 'Teacherless' Classroom

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

An anonymous listener relates first-hand experience with the dark side of adoption and the state childcare industry. Metagent asks for more information about black sludge. Dockerby -- and many other professional educators -- write in with responses to the recent idea of replacing teachers with 'AI' in so-called teacherless classrooms. Plus, of course, Letters From Home. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Mystery of Nan Madol

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Out in Micronesia, an ancient civilization rose and fell, leaving nothing but oral history, folklore, and a stunning, ruined, megalithic city. So what exactly is Nan Madol? How did it come to be? What led to its downfall? In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore the enduring mystery of Nan Madol.

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CLASSIC: The Eternal Shadow: Serial Killers Throughout Ancient History

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

While serial killers may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, the human species hasn't changed as much as we all might like to think. Join the guys as they dive into the mysterious, grisly stories of proven and suspected serial killers from ancient civilizations across the planet.

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Strange News: Massive Pager Attacks in Lebanon, Japan's Resignation Industry, CIA Denies Plotting to Kill Venezuela's Maduro

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 19:42:44 +0000

One of the largest covert operations in history occurred in Lebanon, where exploding pagers and walkie-talkies injured thousands - prompting disturbing, dangerous questions. Japan's corporate culture makes it so difficult to resign that people are hiring third-party 'resignation experts.' The US denies allegations that the CIA may have masterminded a failed plot to murder Venezualan leader Nicolás Maduro. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Terrifying Future of Food

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:02:11 +0000

Sustenance is one of the few things uniting all living beings. Whether we’re talking aristocrats or peasants, celebrities or your typical college student struggling to get by on ramen noodles, everyone needs to ingest some form of energy to survive. So what happens when the population continues to grow and traditional farming methods become less viable? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the terrifying future of food.

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CLASSIC: The Death of Diana: Accident or Conspiracy?

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 17:56:20 +0000

When Princess Diana died as a result of a horrendous car crash in Paris, the United Kingdom was shaken to the core. As more details emerged, some people became convinced that Diana's death was not an accident. Why? Tune in and learn more in this Classic episode.

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Missing in Arizona, with Jon Walczak

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 20:00:10 +0000

April 10, 2001, an explosion rocked a cozy Scottsdale neighborhood. The mother of the family, along with her children, were discovered murdered inside. The father, Robert Fisher, disappeared -- and may still be out there, somewhere. Join Ben and Matt as they welcome Jon Walczak, the creator and host of the Missing series, to learn more about his newest work Missing in Arizona, and the techniques he's using to search for one of the most wanted men in the world.

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CLASSIC: Locked Up and Lost: Healthcare in the Prison System

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:22:10 +0000

While the United States is home to some of the world's most advanced medical technology, it's no secret that it has a terrible healthcare system -- millions of people are one bad diagnosis away from bankruptcy or death if they cannot pay the insurance companies controlling their access to life-saving treatments, medicines and therapy. Yet the US also has the world's highest incarceration rate, with over 700 people out of every 100,000 currently serving time -- what happens when they get sick? Tune in to learn the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about healthcare in prison.

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Strange News: Classrooms with AI Teachers? A Mushroom-robot Hybrid, and Trouble in Millersville, TN

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:25:46 +0000

Over in the UK, David Game College has instituted a revolutionary -- and disturbing -- pilot program: What if, they argue, we can just have AI teach students in place of human teachers? "What could go wrong?" Researchers create a biohybrid robot controlled by a King oyster mushroom -- and it just learned to start walking around. Months of turmoil in the small town of Millersville, Tennessee lead to a TBI raid of the local police department. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Future of Robot “Servants”

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 23:33:40 +0000

The human world is increasingly 'assisted' by a pantheon of automations. Yet this emergent reality brings to bear fundamental philosophical quandries about the nature of not only the mind but the soul of things called 'artificial.' In tonight's episode, sponsored by Illumination Global, Unlimited, Ben, Matt and Noel see both sides of a dangerous future.

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Listener Mail: Project Monarch, Skyhook, and Venezuelan Gangs (Allegedly) Overtaking Colorado Apartment buildings.

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 23:46:12 +0000

How much do we really know about MKULTRA (spoiler: not much). What about Project Monarch? What's the deal with all these viral stories about Venezuelan gangs invading apartment buildings in Colorado -- and fighting off the cops? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Dark Side of Adoption

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:31:51 +0000

Adoption is, at heart, an amazing concept. People who'd love nothing more than being part of a family come together and create their own -- no two ways about it: adoption genuinely saves lives. At least, that is, when everything works as planned. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the harrowing, more sinister sides of the adoption industry.

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CLASSIC: Canada's Roswell: The Shag Harbor Incident

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In 1967 the tiny fishing community of Shag Harbor became ground zero for one of the most infamous UFO sightings in Canadian history. More than 50 years later, people still haven't forgotten the bizarre series of lights they saw that October night... but what exactly were they? Listen in to learn more about the mysterious event known as Canada's Roswell.

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Strange News: The Death of a "Spy" Beluga Whale, Mobile Phones and Cancer, Car Rentals For Thieves

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

After making waves in 2019 with his affable nature and mysterious harness, the legendary beluga whale Hvaldimir has been found dead -- prompting serious questions. A recent meta-study appears to indicate no link between mobile phone use and cancer. Authorities allege an LA-based car rental company was, in fact, a front for "crime tourism." All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Election Monitoring and Conspiracies

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Voting is a pretty big deal -- and, around the world, it's also often controversial. Current civilization puts a great amount of weight on the legitimacy of a given election, and it's no surprise that people often call elections into question. Enter the election monitoring industry: a global network of third-party, independent observers who (in theory) get on the ground in a given country, and verify the voting results for the world at large. Yet there's a bag of badgers here... why are so many experts concerned that election monitoring may have become a weapon? What, exactly, are zombie monitors?

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Listener Mail: The Social Security Hack, Mount Weather, the AI Basilisk and Letters From Home

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

What happens when so many social security numbers get exposed, all at once? What's happening up at Mount Weather? Could an inorganic, sentient mind reach back through time to ensure its own creation? We promise we'll get to the recent events about Venezuelan gangs and Colorado. For now, thanks for joining the gang in the latest segment of listener mail.

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Fake Fruit, Preservation and Consequences: The Wide World of Produce Conspiracies

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Modern civilization is far from perfect, but it's still pretty amazing how we can often order produce from around the world, right to our doors, even if it's out of season. How does this happen? What makes it possible to preserve fruit far past its natural time -- and are there hidden consequences involved? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the wide world of produce conspiracies.

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CLASSIC: The Ticketmaster Racket

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Ticketmaster was founded in 1976, and since that time it's grown to be one of the most powerful forces in the industry -- whether you've gone to symphonies, concerts or plays, odds are you've run into Ticketmaster while trying to get your seats for the show. Yet numerous people allege that this company wields enormous, dangerous influence over artist, venues and fans alike. Tune in to learn more about the rise of Ticketmaster.

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Strange News: A Tragedy in Idaho Springs, Stranded Astronauts, The Future of Moon Water, and More

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Doberman puppies remain missing in the aftermath of a tragic Colorado homicide. Two veteran astronauts remain stranded in space as the world works to bring them back to Earth safely. China discovers a way to generate water on the moon. Next question: Would you pay to have sunlight delivered you in the middle of the night? All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Ica Stones, Part Two: Secrets Revealed

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Do the mysterious Ica stones genuinely depict humans and dinosaurs co-existing? Did some ancient South American cultures actually possess fantastic flying machines, advanced medical techniques, and telescopes? According to the Peruvian physician Javier Cabrera Darquea, the Ica stones proved all of this and more, fundamentally reshaping the story of human history. However, not everyone was convinced. In part two of this special two-part series, the guys continue their investigation of the Ica stones.

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Listener Mail: Pest Control, Myanmar; a Reptilian Contacts the Gang.

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Mr. E provides an insider perspective on pest control. Surf Writer (Rider?) inspires a future episode on the porous borders of Myanmar. A Reptilian contacts the gang. All this and more in tonight's listener mail segment.

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The Ica Stones, Part One: A Mysterious Origin Story

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

When outsiders first encountered the ancient Inca Empire of Peru, they were astonished by the magnifcent stone work -- and struck by an abiding sense of mystery, a fascination which has only grown over the centuries. In the 1960s, a Peruvian physician began collecting a bizarre series of carved rocks known as the Ica stones. These stones, claim the true believers, do more than just teach us the hidden history Peru... depending on whom you ask, they may rewrite the history humans entirely. Tune in to learn more in part one of this special two-part episode.

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CLASSIC: Was the 7th Floor Group a real 'Shadow Government'?

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

During the hectic news cycle of 2015, numerous stories popped up in headlines, only to disappear as soon as another event (or scandal) came to light. One story in particular remains enigmatic in the modern day: During the investigation into the Clinton email scandal, an FBI report found that "There was a powerful group of very high-ranking State [Department] officials that some referred to as 'The 7th Floor Group' or 'The Shadow Government.'" What exactly did this mean? Was there really a shadow government operating in Washington? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: AI Without Guiderails, A Tech Tycoon's Yacht Disaster, Putin Wants You To Move to Russia (Don't)

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Controversial tech tycoon Mike Lynch temporarily goes missing after his luxury yacht sinks off the coast of Sicily. Elon Musks's social platform X raises concern with its recently-unveiled AI image generator, which apparently has no "guardrails" for content. Authorities bust an enormous, frightening Chinese crime network that harvested bones from more than a thousand corpses for dental implants. If all of this has you worried, never fear: Vladimir Putin has officially announced anyone concerned about the fall of Western civilization can seamlessly move to Russia. (Spoiler: don't.) All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: MKULTRA 201: The Conspiracies

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Earlier, the guys explored the fact, fiction and speculation surrounding MKULTRA programs, during which the Central Intelligence Agency financed and directed multiple illegal experiments on US citizens. The program was officially disbanded before it became public knowledge, but thousands of people aren't buying the official story -- instead, they say, insidious operations continued throughout the country. Where do these claims come from? Is there any proof?

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CLASSIC: MKULTRA 101: The Basics

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The rumors spread for decades: Somewhere in the US, our own government was conducting dangerous, heinous and illegal experiments on citizens from all walks of life. This conspiratorial tale seemed set to remain little more than an urban legend -- until, that is, intrepid reporters and members of Congress managed to expose MKULTRA, the insidious series of experiments run by the Central Intelligence Agency with almost no oversight. In the decades since the revelation, MKULTRA has been featured in countless works of fiction, documentaries and more. But what exactly was it? Join the guys as they separate the MKULTRA fact from fiction.

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What exactly is ectoplasm?

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:00:00 +0000

If you're a fan of ghosts and spirits -- not to mention the Ghostbusters franchise -- you've heard of ectoplasm. According to the true believers, this ghostly goop is the physical residue of entities from beyond the mortal plane, summoned by mediums to communicate directly with the living. But what exactly is this stuff? How does it work? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the strange history of this ethereal substance, separating fact from fiction in a quest to finally determine the truth about ectoplasm.

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CLASSIC: The Race to the Arctic: Who will control the poles?

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Across the span of modern human history, the Arctic has been a desolate, dangerous wasteland of freezing ice, inaccessible waters and more than a bit of myth. Yet as the ice recedes, countries and corporations around the globe are already gearing up to take possession of the region's future trade routes -- and billions of dollars' worth of previously untouchable resources. The pieces are already on the chessboard, with multiple groups accusing each other of cover-ups and deceptive tactics. One questions looms larger and larger with each passing season: Who will control the Arctic?

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Strange News: Disney Goes Full Supervillain, Food Monopolies, Glitter on Mars and More

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Imagine your wife dies on a Disney vacation, and their lawyers try to get your wrongful death lawsuit dismissed... because you signed up for a Disney+ trial subscription several years earlier. Corporate food giant Mars acquires Kellenova for $36 billion, furthering the danger of monopolization in the world of food. Could glitter help terraform Mars? What's up with the newest Banksy controversy? Are Americans finally fighting back against fake inflation? All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Hostile Climate: The Home Insurance Crisis

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Home insurance. Yeesh! For most folks, it's somewhere between a necessary evil and a snoozefest. If you're like most homeowners, you have insurance on your property -- policies issued to, in theory, protect you when things go wrong. But what happens in a world where disasters move from possibilities to annual certainties? What happens when the insurance companies themselves can't afford to do business in the face of constant natural disasters? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel tackle an emergent crisis: a world where no one can afford continual, chaotic Acts of God.

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Listener Mail: Plastic Bottle Sabotage, Blackstone and DNA, Is Stockholm syndrome made up?

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Sveriges baffles the crew when they ask whether the infamous Stocholm syndrome is entirely made up. Frederick wonders whether European manufacturers are intentionally sabotaging plastic bottles. The High Topped One is concerned about Blackstone's recent purchase of the DNA company Ancestry. All this and more -- with a big thanks to Alpha Flight -- in this week's listener mail segment.

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Leon G. Turrou: The Nazi Hunter

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In tonight's episode: a strange, twisting tale of hidden history. While most people these days associate the Nazi party with the horrors of World War II, Nazis were active far before that time. Join Ben and Matt as they delve into the story of two vast conspiracies: the Nazi plan to infiltrate American government, business and academia, versus the US plan to stop them. At the center of this bizarre story: Leon G. Turrou. To some, he saved the country. To others, he came all too close to bungling the job.

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CLASSIC: Who Killed Artemus Ogletree?

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

On January 2, 1935, a man checked into room 1046 at the Hotel President in Kansas City. He gave his name as Roland T. Owen, and listed his a home address in Los Angeles. Later, he was found brutally beaten, exhibiting signs of torture. He passed away shortly thereafter... and there the mystery begins. Roland, you see, was a fake name used by one Artemus Ogletree, from Birmingham, Alabama. Join the guys as they unravel the strange, twisting story of Artemus Ogletree's murder in tonight's classic episode.

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Strange News: Crickets Are Back on the Menu, RFK and Bear Corpse Litter, the EPA versus Herbicide, and More

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Singapore approves insects as a food source -- and the reasoning behind this may surprise you. The EPA (finally) bans an incredibly dangerous herbicide known as DCPA. Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. comes clean about dropping a bear carcass in New York's Central Park. Plus: the Scottish corpse shortage, a questionable suicide, and weekly spy updates. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: How did North America's largest city disappear? The Mysterious Collapse of Cahokia

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Four centuries before Columbus reached the western hemisphere, Cahokia was a prosperous pre-American city with a population similar to London’s. In fact, it was probably the largest North American city north of Mexico at that time. While Cahokia was a major population centre around AD1050, by 1350 it was largely abandoned by its people – and, even today, no one is sure why.

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Listener Mail: Big Bug, the Fuyao Factory Raid, Irish Perspective on Speed Limiters and The Great Last Meal Debate

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Conspiracy Realist scbuggeek writes in with an inside look at Big Bug. Lauren writes in for more information on the raid of a Fuyao factory raid in Dayton, Ohio. C provides an Irish perspective on potential future automotive speed limiters. In tonight's letters from home, Ben asks the guys about their ideal last meals. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The US versus the American Indian Movement

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:05:00 +0000

Nowadays most people in the United States are well aware of the larger Civil Rights movement -- including the US government's conspiratorial efforts to destroy those movements and their leaders. Yet there's another story wrapped up in this strange tale of government power versus movements for equality: the story of the American Indian Movement, and how the US power structure's actions set the stage for later conflicts like Waco.

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CLASSIC: Power, Politics, Corruption and Prayer: What is 'The Family'?

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C. is home to numerous organizations and institutions created to broker deals and funnel power from one place (or policy) to another. Many of these organizations operate more or less openly, while others pride themselves on their discretion and ability to stay out of the public eye. The Family is one of the latter -- a secretive group founded in 1935 as a religiously-motivated movement to bring its interpretation of Christianity to the halls of Congress and beyond. But what exactly is the Family? More importantly, what exactly are they up to? Join the guys as they peer behind the curtain.

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Strange News: Spain's Porn Passport, the Paris Olympics, China's New Nuclear Reactor and a Bay of Piglets

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 15:02:11 +0000

Spain will roll out a new "porn passport" to track online visits to adult websites. The gang weighs in on the manufactured controversy around the Olympics. China publicizes a breakthrough in nuclear energy. Drugs, pigs, tectonic shifts: all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Carl-Erik Björkegren: The Disappearing Billionaire

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's often been said money doesn't buy happiness. In fact, it can lead to more problems, up to and including troubling, mysterious disappearances. In tonight's episode, the guys explore the story of the notorious Swedish business tycoon Carl-Erik Björkegren -- a man who, one day, simply disappeared. Was he murdered? Or did he orchestrate a brilliant escape from the long arm of the law?

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Listener Mail: The Most Dangerous Animal, Secret ESP Countermeasures, Spies and Psychics

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Arborious prompts a conversation about ESP and the nature of intuition. Joe calls in to ask whether state-level actors have countermeasures against psychic abilities -- which will be a future episode. Ben brings one of his current obsessions to the air: What is the most dangerous large, non-human animal, as defined by: the one animal that could beat up any other animal. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Mystery of the Dropa Stones

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The story has all the makings of a science-fiction blockbuster: in 1937, an intrepid archaeologist discovers hundreds of perfectly-engraved stones, surrounded by humanoid remains and carved maps of constellations. Later analysis reveals these stones are 12,000 years old, and tell the story of ancient aliens crash-landing on Earth. This is the tale of the 'Dropa Stones.' In tonight's episode, Ben and Noel ask: Is any part of this story true?

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CLASSIC: Orang Minyak: Mythical Monster or Monstrous Cover-up?

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In Malay folklore, the Orang Minyak is an supernaturally agile, humanoid creature coated in an oily, slippery substance. It is primarily known for abducting young women at night. There are other, similar creatures in folkloric beliefs across the planet -- boogeymen meant to warn children against disobeying their parents or social mores. But something about the Orang Minyak is different: Since the 1950s, it's been a prime suspect in numerous assaults and attempted crimes, with authorities and bystanders both claiming there was something supernatural about these crimes.

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Strange News: Crowdstrike, Fake Picassos, Cocaine Sharks, the Looming Yellowstone Volcanic Supereruption

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Fake Picassos launch a fascinating discourse about gender in Australia. The massive Crowdstrike outage exposes troubling vulnerabilities in software infrastructure across the planet. Amid all this chaos (shoutout to cocaine sharks), experts are worried the long-foretold Yellowstone supereruption may be on the way... and no one sure's what will happen it the whole thing blows. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Angel Hair and Star Jelly: What the heck is this stuff?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

For thousands of years, humans were convinced meteors and stars shed heavenly goo onto Earth's surface, or that shreds of the Virgin Mary's veil drifted to the ground after her visitations. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel continue their exploration of weird weather phenomena: What is star jelly? What is angel hair?

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Listener Mail: Targeted Ads, Driving in Europe, a Word from King John

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

An astronaut writes a Tripadvisor review of life in space. King John calls in to prompt an excellent conversation about food as medicine... and how private insurance may help you eat healthy. A European Conspiracy Realist provides context on the idea of mandatory speed limiters -- and why people in the US seem more bothered by it than people across the pond. Charlie describes bizarre experiences with targeted advertising. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Can you hack the emergency alert system?

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

If you live in the US, you've heard the tone before: a staccato series of beeps followed by an oddly neutral voice disclosing any number of warnings or disasters. This is known as the Emergency Alert System. In the event of an emergency, this system can save lives by immediately getting information out to the public ... but what happens if someone hacks it? How easy is it do so?

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CLASSIC: What will humanity be like in 1,000 years?

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

If you met a person from the year 1019, they would be, in many ways, much like you. But what if you met a person from 3019? How different will human beings be one thousand years from today? Will humanity as we understand still be around? Join the guys with special guests John Goforth and Brent Hand, hosts of Hysteria 51, as they explore the strange twists and turns the future may hold for our species... assuming, of course, that we survive.

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Strange News: Horrifying Discovery of a Kenyan Serial Killer, Oceangate Cofounder Pitches Lunar Colony, Fentanyl Robbery Gang

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

33 year-old Collins Jumaici Khalusha has been arrested in connection to multiple murders in Kenya -- he himself has testified to killing 42 women in the past two years. Guillermo Söhnlein, the co-founder of the Titan submersible company Oceangate, says he has plans for a moon colony. Officials claim an interstate 'Fentanyl Robbery Gang' lured victims with sex work and drugged them, leading to at least 4 deaths. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Do fish ever really rain from the sky?

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

It's a weird -- and weirdly common -- story throughout history: a storm that carries not just rain and thunder, but any number of strange animals dropping along in the ground. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the fact and fiction surrounding historic rains of frog and fish... only to discover there are serious problems with the conventionally-accepted explanation.

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Listener Mail: The Good Fork, Microgeneration, FedEx Teams Up with the Cops, Nazi Drugs and UAP Sightings

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Do you anthropormorphize inanimated objects? Ben has a pantheon of them. Side Pocket Kid writes in about the concept of alternative power and microgeneration. On Instagram, Rebel reveals Nazi-branded drugs are sweeping Europe. A new UAP sighting in California. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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STDWYTK: Breaking: Someone Tried To Kill A President

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

On 13 July, 2024, a person later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former US President and current Republican Presidential candidate Donald J Trump at a rally held on the Butler Farm Show Grounds near Butler, Pennsylvania. Two civilians were greviously injured, and another civilian was fatally shot. In tonight's breaking episode, Ben and the guys explore what we know so far, what questions remain unanswered, and more.

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CLASSIC: The death of Panama Papers journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The Panama Papers are a collection of over 11 million leaked documents exposing shady financial dealings from more than 200,000 offshore entities, some dating as far back as the 1970s. When Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia began connecting the dots between corruption in her home country and information in the Panama Papers, she may have finally crossed a line organized crime wasn't willing to tolerate -- in October of 2017, she was killed by a car bomb outside of her home. Today, the murder remains officially unsolved.

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Strange News: History's Biggest Password Hack, Mandatory Speed Limiters, and the First Robot Suicide.

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

A massive password hack compromises 10 BILLION passwords -- and no one's sure what will happen next. As of July 7th, all new cars sold in the EU and in Northern Ireland will require mandatory speed limiters onboard. Over in South Korea, civilization may have witnessed the first 'robot suicide.' All this and more (pants smuggling, Taco Bell retirement, et cetera) in this week's strange news segment.

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The Pentagon's Anti-Vax Program, Part Two: The Conspiracy Goes Global

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

So why would the US government push so hard for people to get vaccinated domestically, then turn around and wage an anti-vaccination propaganda war on the Philippines? In the second part of this week's special two-part episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bizarre motivation behind this insidious scheme: the idea that allowing China to supply vaccines could upset a delicate balance of geopolitical power. It wasn't that they planned to kill innocent people -- they just didn't care whether those people died.

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Listener Mail: The Targeted Pricing Conspiracy, Living Underground, Google is Getting Worse

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Geist writes in from Germany, with a fascinating and conspiratorial first-hand look at the potentially insidious end goal of 'surge' and 'flex' pricing -- using personal info to determine how much you should pay for a purchase. Ralph prompts a re-examination of long-term underground living. The gang confirms that yes, Google search is indeed getting worse. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Pentagon's Anti-Vax Program, Part One: The Great Game is Dirty

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

How far would you go to maintain control of the world? It's a question militaries across the planet ask themselves, every single day. In the first part of this special two-part episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a genuine conspiracy by the US Department of Defense -- at the same time they were urging people to get vaccinated, they were running a huge information war across the Pacific, convincing folks not to receive vaccinations... and almost certainly leading to the deaths of innocent people.

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CLASSIC: Will the real Shakespeare please stand up?

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Playwright William Shakespeare is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential writers in the English language, and his plays have been read or performed millions of times around the world. He was also quite prolific: Between about 1590 and 1613, Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays and collaborated on several more. Yet for more than a century various researchers known collectively as anti-Stratfordians have argued that Shakespeare didn't actually write some -- or all -- of his work.

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Strange News: SCOTUS Rules Against Democracy, A Trial Update, Bird Flu and AI vs Emissions

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In a stunning and genuine conspiracy, the US Supreme Court rules a President should have the powers of a Monarch. Scientists warn about the slow burn of a future bird flu pandemic. Recent analysis finds AI makes unprecedented demands on energy -- and creates a huge amount of emissions. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Crop Circles: Fact and Fiction

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever seen a weird pattern in a field? Grain, grass, swamp or wheat, all bent toward some sort of spiritual-mathematical attempt at communication? Since ancient human times, primates built all sorts of strange stories about how, where, and why unseen beings would create crop circles. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt delve into this strange agricultural phenomena -- sifting the chaff of fiction from the wheat of fact.

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Listener Mail: Drones and Insurance, Philly Bombed Civilians, Ozempic Off-label and A Warning about Sandwiches

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Cabeza de Vaca prompts a conversation about private drones and home insurance. Skippy shares terrifying first-hand experience with the consequences of 'off-label' drug use. In an email about Philadelphia bombing civilians, Ryan inspires future episodes on the abuse of state power. Ben, Matt and Noel receive an official warning against their discourse on the nature of sandwiches. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Cryptids of India, Chapter II

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Imagine a stunning amount of biodiversity amid one of the most densely-populated nations in the modern world. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel continue an exploration into what Western science deems "cryptids of India." Spoiler: Ben solves a few mysteries, and gives you the clues to solve a few more as you listen along at home.

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CLASSIC: Third Eye Spies, the CIA and the Quiet Mind with Russell Targ

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

What if you could travel outside your body at will, sending your consciousness across the planet and beyond? While it may sound like a tale of science fiction to some, the phenomenon known as remote viewing was the subject intense government scrutiny for years. Join the guys as they interview physicist and author Russell Targ, creator of the new film Third Eye Spies, to learn more about his experience researching remote viewing, his work with the government, the future of remote viewing and more.

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Strange News: Julian Assange is "Free," the Pentagon went Anti-Vaxx, Social Media as Cigarettes, Telehealth Busted Peddling ADHD Medication

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange secures "freedom" in Australia. The Pentagon planned a massive anti-vaccination scheme to discredit China. The US Surgeon General wants warning labels on social media. Private health companies get busted peddling medicine -- and some folks are going to jail. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

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Project 2025: Should we be concerned?

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Every Presidential election brings with it a virtual army of advisors, donors, academics, think tanks and policy wonks. They're often full of ideas about how the country should be run -- and they spend a great deal of time and money trying to sell their messages. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore one of the most controversial policy bibles in modern-day America: a set of proposals known collectively as Project 2025. Is this just the normal think tank process... or is there something more sinister at work?

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CLASSIC: The Student Loan Conspiracy

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 20:30:00 +0000

Higher education offers millions of people the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions to civilization -- but it often doesn't come cheap. At $1.5 trillion, the student loan debt in the United States alone is worth more than the value of Facebook and Microsoft combined. So how did we get here? Why do so many people believe the government and private financial interests have conspired to put people under the thumb of life-long, crippling debt? And, perhaps most disturbingly, what will happen if the debt bubble bursts?

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Why Freeports Are A Conspiracy

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

For the vast majority of humans, freeports don't really matter, nor impact their lives. But make now mistake: for the well-heeled and criminals alike, these international storage sites can provide mission-critical loopholes for money laundering, tax dodging and more. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the strange, international web of conspiracies surrounding these obscure -- and technically legal -- storage facilities.

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CLASSIC: What is the Finders cult?

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

On Thursday, February 5, 1987, two men were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping six children and transporting them to Tallahassee, Florida. While the children were reportedly filthy and hungry, initial reports of abuse didn’t hold up. The mothers confirmed they knew the men, and the charges were eventually dropped. But this isn’t how the story ends -- instead, this is where the story of the Finders cult begins.

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CLASSIC: Cell Phones, 5G & Cancer

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Smart phones have fundamentally changed the world -- at times, it's difficult to imagine life without one of these handy computers. There's a world of people you can call, a universe of information at your fingertips and millions of specialized programs to make everyday life that much easier. In fact, it sounds too good to be true... and, according to some critics, that might just be the case. So how do we separate the fact from fiction when it comes to smart phones and cancer?

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The World Is Full of Mysterious Holes

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Do you live near a mysterious cavern, pit, or abandoned mine? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the wide world of mysterious holes, spanning the globe from the remote wilds of Canada all the way down to Antarctica.

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Listener Mail: Real Estate Software, the Superconducting Super Collider, the Two by Twos and Our Poop Joke of the Week

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

A real estate expert weighs in on the discussion of proprietary valuation/pricing software. A conversation about the failed Superconducting Super Collider in Texas. C shares a first-hand account of life in the Two by Two spiritual movement. The favorite poop joke of the week -- and more -- all in this week's listener mail segment.

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Supplements, Part Two: Nootropics

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

What if you could take a pill, an injection, or a series of substances to make you fundamentally smarter? To gift yourself with eidetic memory, superior reasoning skills, and higher cognitive function? In the second part of this continuing series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bleeding edge science, grifts and innovation within the world of nootropics -- better known as 'smart drugs.'

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CLASSIC: Who Killed Fred Hampton?

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The Black Panther Party For Self-defense was founded in Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. They originally wanted to protect local residents from police brutality. One prominent Black Panther activist, Fred Hampton, was killed during an FBI/Chicago Police Force raid on December 4th, 1969. Officially speaking, his death was an unfortunate accident. However, 50 years later multiple scholars, journalists and historians believe there’s more to the story.

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Strange News: Missouri May Murder An Innocent Man, Baby Reindeer, Bananas and Paramilitaries, Good News From the FBI

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The state of Missouri has set a date for the execution of Marcellus Williams -- despite emerging evidence overwhelmingly indicating his innocence (and the prosecutor who wants to reverse the conviction). A Baby Reindeer update. Banana giant Chiquita is once again in court -- this time for funding the far-right paramilitary/terrorist organization AUC. Over in California, a 71 year-old man has been busted for running a massive LEGO heist ring. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Disappearing Planes: The 2024 Update

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Global civilization depends on the power of flight. Yet over the past few decades, planes seem to keep disappearing or meeting with disaster. In tonight's episode, the guys give a 2024 update on missing planes, as well as the theories surrounding what went wrong.

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Listener Mail: Ticketmaster is Nuts, TwinRay, and: Is a Big Mac Lasagna?

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:10:51 +0000

Brett the Hitman shares a bizarre story about Ticketmaster, Taylor Swift and Paris. Tree Forts shares the mystery of TwinRay in Ashland, Oregon. Chickenado explores the stuff Big Chicken doesn't want you to know. Plus: Is a Big Mac technically lasagna? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Observer Effect and the Double Slit Experiment: Ben and Matt vs. Reality

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Reality is philosophically terrifying. What is it, exactly? Where does it come from? Why are we, humans and everyone else, stuck within this thing no one seems to understand? In this special episode, Matt and the one they call Ben wrestle with the nature of existence in the face of new, so-called "virtual environments."

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CLASSIC: Returning To The Moon

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The nation of China recently made international news by successfully completing an unmanned landing on the far side of Earth’s moon, marking a pivotal point in the resurgent space race. So why do some observers believe there’s more to the story?

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Strange News: Atlanta's Water Disaster, Google's AI Search, Soaring Rental Prices

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Atlanta's water disaster prompts a conversation about the conspiracies that led to it and the larger threat of crumbling infrastructure across the US. Google's AI search is pretty terrible. One company may be to blame for America's soaring rent prices. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Listener Mail: The Atlas Network, The Rainey Street Ripper, and the Problem with Scopolamine

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:42:29 +0000

An email hips the guys to the global conspiracy of the Atlas Network -- a think tank that creates think tanks. Fun Crusher looks for more information on allegations of a serial murderer in Austin. Wayne makes a great point about Ben and Matt's earlier 'get out of trouble with scopolamine' idea. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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CLASSIC: Is there a secret funeral monopoly?

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Death is one of humanity's great unifiers. Before the dawn of recorded history our species and others like it venerated, feared and honored the dead. The practice of commemorating our loved ones continues today -- and it's become a big business. Join the guys as they delve deeper into the fact, fiction and controversy of the funeral industry to determine whether or not a secret monopoly is at play.

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Did Charles Manson work with the CIA?

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Years after his death, Charles Manson remains one of the most infamous cult leaders in US history. While the mainstream public seems pretty satisfied with the official narrative, people still struggle to understand how Manson could have held such an iron grip on the minds of his followers. To some researchers, he wasn't acting alone. Instead, he had help from some world-class experts in mind control -- the CIA.

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CLASSIC: The Mysterious McKinsey Group

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In recent history more and more analysts have been concerned about the rise of privately-owned, multinational corporations wielding the type of geopolitical power once relegated to states and nations. These concerns usually name drop the best known large companies, such as Nestle, Unilever, Halliburton and so on -- but many more companies operate just as effectively in relative obscurity. Tune in to learn more about the controversies surrounding the prestigious and murky world of the global management consulting group McKinsey and Company, an organization so powerful it's often referred to as, simply, "the Firm".

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Strange News: North Korean Poop Balloons, Sling-Shot Crime, Fast Food Becomes a Luxury

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:44:44 +0000

Why is North Korea sending balloons filled with trash and poop over the border? A new poll reveals most Americans consider fast food a luxury. A former mayor in South Dakota is charged with three murders. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Actual Trolls: Not the Ones Online

Fri, 31 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Trolls! These mythical creatures are -- nowadays -- beloved. Most folks think of trolls as creatures of myth, up there with the minotaur, the kraken, the selkie. And yet. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the history of troll folklore, ultimately separating fact from fiction and posing a fascinating question: What if troll legends are an oral remnant of early encounters with a previous thing almost-yet-not-quite-human?

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Listener Mail: Chemicals and Fame, Aura Goggles, Food Cube Theory and Pornhub Bans in Texas

Thu, 30 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

How have notable historic figures been affected by dangerous chemicals? Did the US really suppress secret goggles that allow you to see auras? Why has Pornhub banned itself in Texas? In Letters From Home, the guys learn more about the Food Cube Theory. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What are Freight Brokers?

Wed, 29 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Civilization only exists as a result of global trade. Without countless trucks, trains, cargo ships and aircraft, the world as humans understand it will collapse. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore a particularly fascinating aspect of global shipping -- the freight brokers. These companies are logistical giants: in theory, they intervene to make sure everything gets from Point A to Point Z in the most efficient manner possible. This evening, we ask: What happens when these industries conspire?

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CLASSIC: What caused the world’s weirdest earthquake?

Tue, 28 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

On November 11, 2018, seismologists began puzzling over a weird low-frequency rumble that rang through the entire planet. The wave wasn’t connected to any known events, and scientists remain mystified by the mysterious phenomenon. Join the guys as the explore the theories behind the world’s weirdest earthquake.

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Strange News: Non-Human Intelligence, Baby Reindeer, Karl Nell and Karen Reed

Mon, 27 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

At a recent conference for high-dollar investors, a prominent retired Colonel bluntly states "non-human intelligence" is real, world governments know, and they've been interacting with it for a long time. An update on Karen Reed. A statement about Baby Reindeer. A horrific arson prompts questions about surveillance and the law. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Gang Explores The Reptilian Conspiracy

Fri, 24 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered whether some secret group genuinely runs the world? Ben, Matt and Noel finally explore the concept that hybrid reptilians change shape at will, dictate the path of human civilization, and -- for some reason -- seek to keep the entire mission a secret.

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Listener Mail: Active Fitness Clubs, Election Monitoring, Mysterious Holes

Thu, 23 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Is there an international conspiracy to certify rigged elections across the planet? What's with the Coast to Coast story of "Mel's Hole?" Fiona writes in for more information about the extremely real -- and dangerous -- phenomenon of "Active Fitness Clubs." All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Cryptids of India: an Untold Story

Wed, 22 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

You've heard of Bigfoot, but what else is out there? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the fact and fiction of cryptids in India.

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CLASSIC: Famous Lost Tombs, Part II

Tue, 21 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In an earlier episode, the guys delved into the modern mystery of Genghis Khan's hidden grave, and found he was far from the only famous historical figure lost to secrecy and the inevitable march of time. Travel with the gang as they unravel more stories of humanity's famous lost tombs, hidden corpses and more in the second part of this two-part series.

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Strange News: Hidden Cameras, Randy Travis, and AI Dating For You

Mon, 20 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Country music legend Randy Travis approves an AI-generated song based on his voice. The guys explore the double-edged sword of hidden cameras. Bumble executives envision a world where "AI concierges" handle the hazards of online dating -- by dating each other. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Horrifying Truth of Online Pornography

Fri, 17 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Warning: this episode is not appropriate for all audiences.

Anyone with an internet connection can find -- well, almost anything they wish. In a way, it's an autobiography of the human species, with all its interests, concerns, weaknesses and horrors. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the ongoing crime, corruption conspiracy riddling the world of online sex sites.

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CLASSIC: Famous Lost Tombs, Part I

Thu, 16 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

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The Dead Internet Theory

Wed, 15 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The internet is amazing, terrifying, hilarious and, as you read this, still evolving today. We genuinely don't know if humans are ready for it. Tonight's episode examines a troubling accusation -- what if the internet today has already moved past humanity? What if the internet you encounter is now populated by not humans but bots? This is the Dead Internet Theory. Tonight, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into to see how much of this strange conspiracy may be true.

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CLASSIC: What exactly is 'Natural Flavoring'?

Tue, 14 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

You can find phrases touting "natural" flavoring on products throughout most modern supermarkets, from beverages to cereal to more -- but what exactly does this mean? Join the guys as they delve into the fact (and fiction) surrounding the use of "natural" in advertising... and why there might be more to the story than you think.

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Strange News: Rap Beefs, Tornadoes, Brain Worms and More

Mon, 13 May 2024 19:00:00 +0000

What's going on with all these tornado clusters-- and what does it tell us about the future of natural disasters? The gang weighs in on the larger context of recent rap beefs. Ben calls in from an undisclosed location, with the latest updates on brain worms and Presidential candidates, with a special message for Mother's Day. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Universe 25: The Parable of Rodent Utopias and Behavioral Sinks

Fri, 10 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

What would happen if you built an almost-perfect world, limited in terms only of space? How would people react -- could you create a utopian society? These are the questions John Bumpass Calhoun asked himself during his career as an ethologist, which led him to create tiny 'universes' for rodents... only to find that, time and time again, these perfect civilizations collapsed. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they delve into the parable of Universe 25 and behavioral sinks.

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Listener Mail: Real Telepathy, Bird Flu and Cows, Voting Age, A Wholesome Conspiracy

Thu, 09 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

J Conner and Ben bond on the concept that technological breakthroughs may lead to the creation of real-life telepathy. Scootch weighs in on the pickle of voting age limits -- and age limits in general. Plant Queen reports on bird flu in America's farm animals, and Tonks shares a down-right wholesome conspiracy for kids at school. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Drugs As Weapons, Part II: Cannabis-induced Psychosis

Wed, 08 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Ah, cannabis! That oft-vilified, oft-worshipped source of so many creative snacks, amazing music, and... legal chaos. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel return to the world of "drugs as weapons," exploring the allegations that cannabis ingestion can lead some people to extraordinary psychotic breaks, resulting in dangerous breakdowns -- up to and including murder.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Is MI5 a Criminal Organization?

Tue, 07 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Also known as the Security Service, MI5 is the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency, dealing with threats inside the kingdom. However, recent revelations have shown that, in some cases, the organization may have helped to aid and abet some crimes in the course of (theoretically) preventing others. Tune in to learn more about the morally grey world of covert operations and MI5.

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Strange News: New Orleans Archdiocese Scandal, Explosions in Clinton Township, The US Campus Protests Make History

Mon, 06 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

A sex-trafficking inquiry targets the New Orleans archdiocese. An explosion in Michigan's Clinton Township triggers an investigation. Widespread anti-war protests across the United States place the country at a crossroads. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Truth Behind the Salem Witch Trials, with Aaron Mahnke

Fri, 03 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Join Ben and Matt as they interview Aaron Mahnke, the creator of the world-famous Lore podcast, about Unobscured, the new series where he dives deep into the true story of the Salem witch trials. How many people were tried? How many actually died? What does Hollywood get wrong and, perhaps most importantly, was there something the people of Salem didn't want future generations to know?

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Listener Mail: Breaking Physics? Firefighters and PFAs, Superfund Sites and Baseball.

Thu, 02 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Secret Soup Can hips the guys to the newest 'Big If True' -- aka alleged -- breakthrough in alternative propulsion. Matt the Firefighter shares a widely-unacknowledged danger of fighting fires. GP Scootch prompts a conversation about Superfund sites. Rob provides a mission-critical update on the continuing adventures of a certain humble farmer. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What was Operation Northwoods?

Wed, 01 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

How far would you go in pursuit of a Greater Good? How much evil would you permit -- how many crimes would you commit -- if you believed the result was beneficial to the world overall? These are the kind of questions the US government wrestled with at the height of the Cold War, when they considered launching a number of false flag and terror campaigns to shore up support for a hot war with Cuba. Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more.

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CLASSIC: What the F*ck is up with Florida?

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Out of all the states in the Union, it seems like Florida is home to the craziest shenanigans. Every few days another story about a weird, madcap crime in the Sunshine state makes the circuit in mass media, and it’s created a nationwide stereotype about the state and its residents. But how did we get here? Is there any truth to the bizarre stereotype?

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Strange News: Colorado Protects Brainwaves, Chechnya's Weird Music Ban, A Man Sets Himself On Fire.

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:20:31 +0000

Colorado moves to protect human thought. Chechnya restricts all music to a certain amount of beats per minute (spoiler: it's super weird). In protest against an alleged conspiracy, a man self-immolates in front of a Manhattan courthouse. Ben, Matt and Noel learn their prediction about robot dogs proved correct. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Sirhan Sirhan Story

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

On June 5, 1968, Sirhan Sirhan fatally attacked Robert Kennedy -- he was tackled, disarmed and arrested immediately. Yet for decades after the murder, the arrest, and the trial, people still wonder exactly what happened. Could it be possible that Sirhan was not acting on his own -- or of his own free will?

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Listener Mail: Dog Farts or Ghosts? The Korean 4B Movement. Growing Mini-livers.

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Jace wonders whether he's haunted by a dearly-beloved, farting ghost. Skippy prompts a conversation about growing miniature organs, and the larger future of biotech. Phoebe writes in with a crucial conversation about the 4B movement and patriarchal conspiracies, which Doc and Ben agree are closer to home than a lot of Americans may like to assume. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Disclosure: The Epstein Files

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Toward the end of 2023, a US judge decreed the public had a right to know the names of multiple people listed in court documents pertaining to the crimes of notorious financier and human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. This list of his known associates includes tycoons, royalty, celebrities, and more than one president. But what about the allegations that Epstein was supplying victims to sexual abusers -- will any of these other people, if guilty, be brought to justice? Tune in as Ben and Matt explore the Epstein files.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: How Jeffrey Epstein Broke The Law and Got Away

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Jeffrey Epstein made a name for himself as a mysterious money manager with friends in very high places, from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump, British royalty and more. His firm refused to do business with anyone worth less than one billion dollars, and Epstein traveled the globe, often throwing exclusive parties on his own private island. Yet this jet-setting money whiz was also dogged by rumors -- rumors of ongoing sexual abuse with multiple victims. At least some of these rumors turned out to be true. Any other person would have spent years in jail ...so why is Jeffrey Epstein walking free today? Tune in to learn more.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: The Cybertruck Debacle, Historic Conviction in International Psychic Scam, Loans for the Dead, the Secret World of Extra Passports

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Did you know wealthy people can easily buy citizenship in numerous other countries (and they're doing it at an unprecedented rate)? Plus the ongoing Cybertruck debacle. In two different countries, criminals get caught wheeling corpses to banks for loans and withdrawals. The notorious grifter Patrice Runner is finally convicted in a stunning, long-running global scheme to grift people with 'psychic powers' through the mail. All this and much more -- like FBI agents going broke -- in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Drugs as Weapons

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

For some, drugs represent the downfall of civilization, despite the fact that drug creation and ingestion is one of the oldest discoveries in human history. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore a bizarre genre of conspiracy: What happens when drugs are weaponized?

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Listener Mail: Best/Worst Candy, Human Cloning Puns, Eclipse Headaches and a Full Body Taste

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

P Brain asks for more information about the health effects of the recent solar eclipse. Anonymous in Central Illinois asks Ben, Matt and Codename: Doc to debate the best -- or worst -- candy. Scoop Murphy drops some knowledge about earmarking certain government positions. Keith the Plumber uses McDonald's for lucid dreams, and GGP Scootch shares an amazing, surely true, story about the perils of human cloning. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Oh, Man. It's The Supplement Episode.

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

At some point in your life, your health becomes your number one concern. Everyone knows a balanced diet and regular exercise leads to a longer, healthier life -- but what if you could juice the odds a little? More extreme: If modern medicine fails, could an alternative supplement be the answer you need? In the first part of this continuing series on supplements, Ben and Matt explore some of the benefits, concerns -- and conspiracy -- surrounding this multibillion dollar industry.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Mysterious Death of Biohacker Aaron Traywick

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

When controversial transhumanism activist and erstwhile CEO Aaron Traywick was found dead in a sensory deprivation tank on April 29th, 2018, many of his critics and colleagues suspected there was more to his death than an apparently accidental ketamine overdose. Was there foul play? Suicide? Pseudocide? Listen in to learn more about the life, times and mysterious death of Aaron Traywick.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Robbing Graves For Drugs, Identity Theft, LA's Greatest Heist, South Korea Will Pay You To Have Kids

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

LA witnesses the largest heist in its history over Easter. South Korean companies seek to combat population collapse by paying families to get pregnant. A multi-decade identity theft case finally comes to light. Drug dealers in Sierra Leone are robbing graves to make drugs from human bones. Zombie cicadas, Norfolk Southern and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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What is Fertility Fraud?

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

For millions of people across the planet, fertility treatments make families possible. Each year in the US alone, procedures like IVF allow thousands of children a chance at life -- so long as everything is conducted in an ethical manner. However, as Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the dark side of this multimillion dollar industry, they discover these treatments can also result in some deeply disturbing crimes and conspiracies. Tune in to learn more about fertility fraud.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: The West Lake Landfill, Cloning, and Supplements

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:31:21 +0000

B7 hips the gang to the West Lake Landfilll. Rev Devl prompts a strange exploration of the future of AI. Byron asks about cloning (and flame retardants). Agent Atari and Chef Ben have some hot takes on supplements. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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What is Operation Solar Warden?

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Could the US really possess a top-secret space program leveraging suppressed or extra-terrestrial technology -- and have kept the existence of this program hidden from the public for the better part of a century? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the allegations of Gary McKinnon... and the legend of Operation Solar Warden.

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CLASSIC: The Kurim Case

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In 2007, a new father in the small Czech town of Kurim installed a baby monitor only to find that, instead of picking up the feed from his own home, he was receiving a camera signal from his neighbors’ house. The feed showed two young, filthy boys locked in a cellar, being tortured. This was only the beginning of the strange and twisted tale of the Kurim cult.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Operation Skyhawk, Books Bound in Human Skin, and... Havana Syndrome is Russian?

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:17:35 +0000

A multiyear investigation discovers high-level Western accusations that the controversial Havana Syndrome may have been caused by Russian weaponry (accusations that remain officially unconfirmed today). Harvard finally takes the human skin off of one of its more controversial books. A murder related to the Three Body Problem. And what exactly is Operation Skyhawk? All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Who were the Si-Te-Cah?

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Did a race of red-haired, not-quite-human, cannibalistic giants really terrorize the Paiute people in ancient America? For a long time, according to the story, this tale was thought to be little more than a piece of imaginative folklore -- until, that is, the fall of 1911, when guano miners stumbled upon a thousands of artifacts hidden in a mysterious cave just outside of Lovelock, Nevada.

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Listener Mail: Political Cults, Lex Meets the CIA, Vacation Recommendations and Canada Agrees With Us

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Skeptical Dark Horse hips Ben, Matt and Noel to the Society for American Civic Renewal. Lex has a curious encounter with a certain company. Desthiny asks the gang for road trip recommendations. The government of Canada lowkey agrees with the gang's previous predictions, and Chelsea sends a letter from home. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Bhopal, India Gas Leak

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:30:00 +0000

In December of 1984, Bhopal, India became ground zero for the largest industrial disaster in all of human history -- it's a story still largely unknown in the west. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into what happened, how it happened, and whether there's a cover-up afoot. Most importantly, will there ever be justice for the tens of thousands of victims of the Bhopal disaster?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What's happening at Pine Gap?

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Located just a few miles away from Alice Springs, Australia, Pine Gap is known as one of the country's hotbeds of surveillance and secrecy -- but what exactly goes on there? What is it these over 800 Australian and U.S. employees do every day? Join the guys as they delve into the fact and fiction surrounding Australia's Pine Gap.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: The Moscow Attack: Conspiracy? The Curse of the Colonel, and the Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 15:11:09 +0000

A cargo ship hits the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, utterly destroying the bridge. Over in Japan, the notorious curse of the Colonel may have finally been lifted. Lastly -- and perhaps most disturbingly -- a horrific attack on a Moscow music venue leaves more than 100 dead. IS terrorists claim responsibility, Putin accuses the West, and the story grows ever stranger the deeper you dig. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Mysterious Lake Mead Bodies

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:20:00 +0000

Continual drought in Nevada led to some firghtening an unexpected consequences in recent years. As the waters of Lake Mead fell, ruins of Native sites, abandoned towns and forgotten cars emerged from the waters. And then, one by one, visitors started discovering the bodies... some of whom have yet to be identified. Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more about the mysterious Lake Mead bodies.

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Listener Mail: HVAC Refrigerant, Rigging Votes, Royal Conspiracies and Cloning

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:32:42 +0000

Anonymous in Oz shares a disturbing story about paid actors rigging a corporate vote in Australia. The Mitch Doctor shares more news about the the UK's royal family. Several Conspiracy Realists give Ben, Matt and Noel the scoop on refrigerant costs. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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A History of the Antichrist

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

What is the nature of good and evil? For some, it’s a matter of shifting perspective. For others, there are absolutes – clearly defined right and wrongs, good guys and bad. In tonight's episode, the guys explore one of history’s most extreme symbols of evil: the opposite of divinity, a dark oppositional messiah – the eternal enemy of God and Jesus; known, for millennia, as the Antichrist. What exactly is this? Where did it come from, and how does its story continue to evolve in the modern day?

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CLASSIC: Everyone Knew Non-stick Pans Were Poisonous (And No One Told You)

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:40:00 +0000

Non-stick pans are incredibly convenient -- they save hours of time, and make cooking less labor-intensive. Some might say the technology sounds too good to be true! As it turns out, that just might be the case. Tune in to learn how 3M, DuPont and other corporate entities conspired (for decades) to suppress research indicating serious medical dangers posed by Teflon and related substances.

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Strange News: Nickelodeon Scandal, A Shootout in Arkansas, A Double Amputation Insurance Scam

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:12:22 +0000

A new docuseries brings long-standing allegations of gruesome abuse at Nickelodeon to the mainstream. An airport executive dies in a bizarre shootout with the ATF. A man purposely loses his legs to frostbite in a strange insurance scam. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Bad Blood, Part Two: China's Plasma Economy

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

For many farmers in rural 1990s China, it seemed like a godsend: new businesses promised to pay a full month's wage for just a few hours donating plasma. The Plasma Economy campaign swept the nation, making blood brokers and biotech companies tons of cash... and then the reports started arriving: multiple small communitites suddenly had HIV and hepatitis. What went wrong? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: The Two by Two Cult, Credit Card Skimmers, and Cartels

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

HeyLee shares the disturbing history of a cult called the Two by Twos. A-Frame reveals first-hand experience with firearms and cartels. Big Shucks returns with a story about credit card skimming. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Medicine or Poison? The Story of PB Pills

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

You've heard of things like Agent Orange, but what about PB pills? During the Gulf War conflict, PB pills were billed as a way to combat the looming threat of nerve agents in the field. However, according to veterans and their advocates, this substance may have actually caused more harm than good. Could this be the explanation for Gulf War Syndrome? If so, have powerful forces attempted to cover up the truth? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the story.

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CLASSIC: Agent 355: Washington's Secret Spy

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Spies aren't just relegated to the Cold War and James Bond -- in fact, spycraft played a crucial role in the Revolutionary War. One of the government's most effective spies was so accomplished that, even in the modern day, their identity remains a mystery. Join the guys as they unravel the strange story of the enigmatic Agent 355.

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Strange News: The Boeing Whistleblower, Kate Middleton, Drugs and Robbery in Atlanta

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:02:50 +0000

Former Boeing employee and whistleblower John Barnett was found dead. A string of druggings and robberies in Atlanta's posh Buckhead neighborhood prompts concerns -- and disturbing questions. The internet goes nuts investigating Kate Middleton. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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STDWYTK presents The Passage: Hoover's Confession

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

J. Edgar Hoover was a legendarily paranoid man -- but what if there was a reason for his intense, myopic obsession with surveillance and privacy? How about this: Did you ever wonder why the guys have done so many episodes about satellites and space fungus recentlly? In tonight's special episode, the guys present an episode from The Passage, a new podcast that takes you on a ride into the land of the dead, traveling with the Ferryman as he collects America’s most illustrious spirits and delivers them to the hereafter. This episode -- Hoover's Confession -- was written by Ben and executive produced by Matt. We hope it keeps you up at night.

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Listener Mail: Tainted Polio Vaccine, the Winchester Dam, a Potassium Update

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Multiple Conspiracy Realists share their personal experiences with polio. PoodleCrab responds to the ongoing conversation about potassium. Concerned Citizen asks for more information about the Winchester Dam. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Were Viking Berserkers Real?

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:20:00 +0000

Have you ever heard someone described as going "beserk"? Turns out there's a ton of strange history behind this phrase. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bizarre phenomenon of berserkers, the elite Viking fighting force that remains shrouded in myth and controversy in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: Above Majestic, with David Wilcock

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The recent film Above Majestic is look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", an alleged, secret group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology. Join the guys as they interview the creator of the film, David Wilcock, about his theories, his beliefs, and the experiences that inspired him to create the film in this classic episode.

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Strange News: Smuggling Greenhouse Gas, AI Ruins Willy Wonka, Houthis Cut The Internet -- Or Did They?

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Where should you park a helicopter? The conversation over the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow continues. London economists realize wealth inequality is booming, and someone snipped those undersea cables the guys warned about earlier. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Bad Blood, Part I: The Factor VIII Scandal

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Every day, across the planet, blood and plasma donations save human lives. Yet as with virtually all medical innovations, the story of blood donation has a dark side. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the disturbing tale of a conspiracy spanning decades -- how an Arkansas prison profited from selling tainted inmate blood across the world, infecting an unknown number of people with insidious diseases. Yet there's a protagonist to this twisted narrative: it's also the story Kelly Duda, the courageous investigative journalist who spoke truth to power and brought this injustice to the public eye.

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Listener Mail: Corruption in Illinois, Magnets, Foreign Real Estate Grifts

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Papa Caps becomes the official STDWYTK hot sauce hook-up. Dewy continues the exploration of corruption in Illinois. Fellow Faygo fan Arborious explains magnets. ANUSTART responds to multiple topics, including DEFCON, the funeral industry, human trafficking and foreign real estate purchases. Lawyer Gzolo hips the gang to new legislation banning these purchases in Pennsylvania. Donatello makes an excellent point about light bulbs. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Who Were The Knights Templar?

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Founded as an order of warrior monks protecting Christian pilgrims on their journey to the Holy Land, he Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon -- or Knights Templar -- were only around for a few centuries, but cast a long shadow in the world of conspiracy. Did they really start the concept of banking? Why did they disappear? Were any of the strange rumors about the grail, devil worship, or magic true? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the secret history of the Templars.

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CLASSIC: Why do so many people hate Nestlé?

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Nestlé is the world's largest food and beverage company, and it's no surprise that an entity this large would, at some point over the decades, become embroiled in a controversy or two. However, according to critics and numerous advocacy groups, Nestlé has a dark side that goes far beyond the occasional ethical misstep. Join the guys and special guest Lauren Vogelbaum, host of Savor, as they unravel the story of Nestlé's cover-ups and conspiracies.

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Strange News: Wendy's "Definitely Not" Doing Surge Pricing, Alex Jones Update, Gangs and the Military

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:18:58 +0000

A Yakuza operative gets pinched for smuggling nuclear material. Mixtape legends and fast food empire Wendy's claims they are 'definitely not' doing surge pricing -- and the public remains skeptical. Alex Jones struggles with the recent court ruling. Statements from Memphis gang leaders inspire a conversation about the military. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Tainted Polio Story

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

For much of human history, polio was absolutely terrifying. People weren't sure how it spread, they had no idea how to treat it, and they realized anyone could be infected. This changed with the emergence of polio vaccination, which was considered, for the most part, a massive success. But the rush to get this treatment finalized and out to the public led to one of the worst vaccine disasters in human history: investigators quickly learned the polio vaccine was actually giving people polio. Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Russian Space Weapons, Star Wars, Longer Life for Pets and a Potassium Grift

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Iron Man hips the guys to a bizarre story about potassium. Sgt. Will presents a fascinating theory about nuclear weapons and "aliens." The Cold War Hammer prompts a discussion of possible Russian ASAT weapons. Big Shucks sends news of new drugs that could help cats and dogs live much longer. Ben ponders what might amaze time travelers. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Spies in the Sky: More Strange, Secret Satellites

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:30:00 +0000

Whil space may look pretty empty to the unaided eye, make no mistake: Earth's orbit is filled with fascinating -- sometimes creepy -- things. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the rise of spy satellites, the danger of nukes in space, and much more.

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CLASSIC: The Future of Censorship

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

What should people be allowed to say online? What sort of control should states or private entities have over images, concepts, speeches and other content created by individuals, groups or the public? Join the guys as they explore the controversial phenomenon of censorship, from moments where it's arguably necessary to times where censorship functions as conspiracy or cover-up -- ultimately asking how censorship works in the future.

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Strange News: Satellites, Sting Rays, World Powers Move on Antarctica

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Orbital decay as satellites fail. A stingray practices parthenogenesis as China and Iran expand claims to Antarctica. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Colonial Parkway Murders

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The scenic Colonial Parkway stretches 23 miles across part of Virginia, linking Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. This road has been purposely shielfed from commercial development, and it's full of pull-offs making it the perfect lovers' lane. And, from 1986 to 1989, it became a prime hunting ground for one of the state's most notorious serial killers. Tune in to learn more about the still-unsolved case of the Colonial Parkway Murders.

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Listener Mail: Purple Street Lights, Burger King Sauce Concerns, the Unsolved Death of Thomas Wales

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Matthais calls to ask about why some streetlights are turning purple. Kyle writes in with a question about a possible fast food conspiracy to short people on condiments. Curious in Seattle prompts a disturbing exploration of the death of federal prosecutor Thomas Wales, who appears to have been murdered by a professional assassin. Ben, Matt and Noel decide to dive into the case in a future episode. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Mysterious Inventors, Part II: Murdered For Science?

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Humans are phenomenally inventive creatures -- problem is, some of their inventions may end up disrupting the status quo. In fact, history is riddled with mysterious deaths of inventors and scientists -- along with countless allegations of conspiracy. How many of these strange stories could be true? Tune in for the second installment of this ongoing series: Mysterious Inventors.

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CLASSIC: STDWYTK Live: Secrets of The Federal Reserve

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:10:00 +0000

From the secret signs of homeless communities to Toynbee tiles, the world of advertisement and even the US dollar, the world is chock-full of hidden signs, languages and symbols. Recently, the guys hit the road, traveling across the northeast and exploring these secret images on their first live tour. Tune in to learn more about the strange world of hobo code, the weird images on US currency and the murky origins of the Federal Reserve.

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Strange News: New Cryptid Just Dropped, Chernobyl's Wolves, A Lawyer Saves The Day

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

A new study shows wolves in Chernobyl have developed resistance to cancer. A scammer tries to refinance house behind owner’s back, lawyer saves the day. Shocking new research reveals human beings are host to a previously-unknown, bizarre collection of life forms called "obelisks" -- and no one knows what they're doing. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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That Unclaimed Land: Terra Nullius

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

How do human civilization decide who owns what? It's a devilish, dangerous, and disturbing question absolutely riddled with conspiracy. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the concept of "terra nullius" -- the idea that, if you have the right flag and a solid army, you can just rock up to any place on Earth and call dibs. Tune in to learn how this conspiratorial concept came to be, why it's sometimes hilarious, and why it's mostly evil. Perhaps most importantly: What does "terra nullius" tell us about the future of exploration?

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Listener Mail: Hey Google, Operation Overmatch, Healthcare and Cartel Firearms

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

An anonymous listener shares the unpleasant consequences of Ben, Matt and Noel's prank from years ago. Scurvy Earl prompts a renewed, long-running conversation about the broken healthcare system. Rob asks for more information about Operation Overmatch. Emma H weirds Ben out with compliments, and JBB1351 responds with key information about cartels and US military ordnance. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Every US National Park is Apparently Haunted

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The United States National Parks system is a stunning system of over 85 million acres of natural wonders, attracting millions of visitors from across the world every single year. Within the parks, you can find a cavalcade of unique animals, plants and monuments. But there's a stranger side to all this wilderness: according to centuries worth of legends, the parks are also home to ghosts. Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more.

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CLASSIC: The Dark Alliance: Did the US government and druglords kill Gary Webb?

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Stubborn, determined and tenancious, Gary Webb was the quintessential investigative journalist. In his work for a newspaper called The Mercury News, Gary explored the relationship between right-wing revolutionary Contras in Nicaragua, the crack cocaine epidemic in the United States, and the actions of the Central Intelligence Agency. While the series was published, multiple mainstream newspapers joined together to write editorials criticizing him, and ultimately his own editors turned on him, as well. Gary Webb later died from two gunshots to the head. This was officially deemed a suicide, and there's no wonder people think there's more to the story.

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Strange News: CERN Wants a New Collider, Deepfake Scam, Bears on Crack, A Toothbrush Hack, and More

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:07:19 +0000

CERN wants to spend the next two decades -- and twenty billion euro -- building a new collider. AI seems to escalate warfare in strange, unpredictable ways. A deepfake scam. Claims of a massive botnet army of toothbrushes seem terrifying -- but there's more to the story. South Carolina claims executions don't need to be painless. Florida pushes for a bill that makes it easier to hunt and kill bears, on the off chance they may be doing crack cocaine. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Squonk: The World’s Saddest Cryptid

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

It's Cryptid Time! On the heels of a somewhat... titillating social media video, the guys dive into the story of the world's saddest cryptid. Out in the hemlock forests of northern Pennsylvania, numerous hunters have tried and failed to capture a uniquely upsetting, lachrymose little cryptid with bad skin, weird legs and a penchant for continually weeping. He can be lured by the sound of crying... but if you try to catch him, he'll vanish, leaving only a slurry of bubbles and tears. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the bizarre story of the Squonk.

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Listener Mail: Massive Reaction to Oklahoma Cannabis and Human Trafficking, the Apple Vision Pro, Music Inspired by STDWYTK

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Divine Bovine prompts a conversation about the Apple Vision Pro. Moons of Athos shares some of the (awesome) music he creates while inspired by Stuff They Don't Want You To Know. A ton of fellow Conspiracy Realists write in to confirm our earlier story on Oklahoma and cannabis-related human trafficking, assuring us the problem is much, much worse than the news is letting on. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Thailand's Worst Serial Killer is a Woman: The Story of "Am Cyanide"

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Thailand's authorities recently closed an investigation on the most notorious serial killer in the country's history: Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, commonly called "Am Cyanide," poisoned more than 14 people in a murder spree that left local police baffled -- until they learned the full story.

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CLASSIC: The Strange Story of the GhostNet

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The rise of the Internet Age allowed billions of people to access virtually endless stores of information, but it had a dark side -- one of which was the rise of a new kind of army: Groups that used viruses and software the way other militaries use missiles, spies and bombs. Join the guys as they explore the rise of the mysterious entity known as GhostNet -- what it did, how it got away with it, and why no one's been able to stop it.

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Strange News: Mexican Cartels Carry Heavy US Ordnance, Taylor Swift, Bayer to Pay More than 2 Billion in Latest Roundup Trial, Woman Non-consensually Running for Presidency

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:06:04 +0000

Mexico demands answers as cartels seem to wield massive amounts of US-manufactured military ordnance. Pop musician Taylor Swift inspires bizarre, panicked reactions among America's conservatives. Pharmaceutical giant Bayer is under the gun yet again as the dangers of Roundup, once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, result in a lawsuit putting the company on the hook for more than 2 billion US dollars. A woman in Colorado discovers she is on the Minnesota presidential primary ballot -- she doesn't want to be president, and she can't get her name off the list. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Did A Harvard Astronomer Find Wreckage From Outer Space?

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Storied Harvard theoretical physicist Avi Loeb made some waves with his recent discoveries: through a deep search of astronomical records, he and his team found an interstellar object that crashed into Earth off the shores of Papua New Guinea. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the nature of this discovery, the controversy surrounding the ongoing research, and the bizarre question: Have humans found proof of extraterrestrial life?

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Listener Mail: Carbon Monoxide Crisis in Utah, Hunting Ghosts, Ghost Kitchens

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Mama Dino prompts an examination of carbon monoxide poisoning in Utah. Veteran ghost hunter George shares a guide to exploring Electronic Voice Phenomena. Multiple Conspiracy Realists weigh in on the earlier ghost kitchens episode. The Rise of Nicky Biscuits. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Project For The New American Century: Part Two

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:25:00 +0000

In the wake of unimaginable disaster, the supporters of the PNAC saw their chance to transform their theories into policy. At least, that's how critics often portray the group -- why? In the second part of this two-part series, Ben and Matt dive deep into the story of the short-lived think tank, from the global aftermath of the attacks on September 11th to the official end of the PNAC.

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CLASSIC: Ancient Civilizations in Antarctica?

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 19:56:17 +0000

Among all the continents of Earth, Antarctica remains both the most inhospitable and the most mysterious. Today the only humans on the landmass are researchers and their support staff, charged with studying climate change, the local ecosystem and the unique creatures that call the freezing, ice-riddled continent home. Yet for centuries various researchers have argued there's more to the history of Antarctica -- that, before it was ever 'officially discovered', Antarctica was home to a long-forgotten civilization, the existence of which could fundamentally rewrite the story of human history.

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Strange News: A Human Trafficking Conspiracy in Oklahoma, Kansas City Update, the Nicholas Rossi Saga Continues

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:17:20 +0000

A federal jury has convicted two men of a drug trafficking conspiracy -- yet that's only the beginning of this twisted, disturbing tale. An update on the three men found dead in Kansas City. Notorious criminal and con artist Nicholas Rossi insists he is a British national named Arthur Knight. All this and more -- including Tesla ghost hunting -- in this week's strange news segment.

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The Project For The New American Century: Part One

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Think tanks are pretty common in the United States, and not all are created equally. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben and Matt dive deep into the story of a short-lived think tank known as The Project For A New American Century -- to supporters, it paved a way forward for US foreign policy. To critics, it may have led to a series of never-ending wars.

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Listener Mail: Missing in Missouri, Corruption in Illinois, Australian Insight

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 20:06:45 +0000

Cody hips the gang to a disturbing death in Missouri. Mysteria writes in to respond to the earlier questions about small-town corruption. LJB provides some insight from Australia. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Venezuela Versus Guyana

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The current president of Venezuela made global headlines when he seemed on the cusp of invading the neighboring country of Guyana -- why would a country already in the grip of domestic chaos aim to start a war? In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the disturbing history of Venezuelan-Guyanese relations, as well as the claims that there may be more -- much more -- to the story than what we're seeing in the headlines.

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CLASSIC: Real Life Super Powers Part II

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Does someone have real-life superspeed? Can people telepathically control machines? When the guys originally began investigating real-life superpowers, they had no idea how many extraordinary abilities they would end up discovering. Tune in for the superpower sequel, with all new powers (and a few abilities that might be more like a curse).

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Strange News: Three Deaths in Kansas City, AI Does Carlin, Corporate Sex Trafficking

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Furious family members, community and friends demand answers when three men are found dead in Kansas City days after watching a football game. AI creates a full special inspired by the works of legendary philosopher and stand-up comic George Carlin. Prompted by in-depth, disturbing journalism, the FBI begins investigating former Abercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries for multiple sex crimes, including trafficking across international borders. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Introducing: The Godmother

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In the 1930s, Lucky Luciano, one of American history’s most notorious mobsters, was finally taken down by a rookie prosecutor. Eunice Carter was one of the first Black Women ever to become a prosecutor in America. She operated from the heart of the Harlem Renaissance to navigate the corrupt world of downtown Manhattan politics, and a deeply racist and sexist pre-civil rights American society. But her pioneering role in what became known as the “trial of the century” has been forgotten by popular history. Hers is the story of a writer, social worker, mother, teacher, sister, socialite, political candidate, community organizer and unheralded pioneer. This eight part immersive podcast is hosted by poet and writer, Nichole Perkins. It tells the story of Eunice Carter: a bad-ass anti-hero unafraid to bend the rules in pursuit of ambition, justice and legacy. Listen to The Godmother on the iHeartRadio App or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-godmother-141201920/

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Radical, with Mosi Secret

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Before converting to Islam, Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin was a Black Power activist named H. Rap Brown. Like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael, he was targeted by COINTELPRO, the FBI’s counter intelligence program. In 2000, he was convicted of shooting two sheriff’s deputies — one fatally — outside a mosque in Atlanta’s West End. Tonight, Ben and Matt join journalist Mosi Secret to learn more about his new podcast Radical.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical/id1716418988

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Listener Mail: A Humble Farmer, A Blood Scandal, Aliens in Miami

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

A Humble Farmer writes in with a stunning story of a still-unexplained UFO encounter. Zack asks for more information on a blood donation scandal. TyDjinn suggests several topics for future episodes, including the disappearance of Harold Holt and breathless claims of aliens at a mall in Miami. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Hearing Ghosts: What is electronic voice phenomena?

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Have you ever heard something strange on the other end of the phone, or an inexplicable whisper in a recording. Most folks might dismiss this is as little more than a glitch, but for a certain segment of the population it represents something else: the presence of spirits from beyond the mortal veil. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the bizarre story of electronic voice phenomena, or EVP.

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CLASSIC: The Bunyip and Beyond: Meet the Cryptids of Australia

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Over the years, the guys have explored stories of cryptids across the planet, but in all their podcast journeys they somehow never made it to Australia -- at least, that is, until today. Tune in as they investigate the tales of Australian cryptids with a special guest appearance by Savor cohost and frequent globetrotter Anney Reese, who for a time lived with an indigenous community on the continent.

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Strange News: US Couple Dead in Smoldering Home, China Regulates Gaming, Hundreds of Families Discover Missing Loved Ones Buried in Mississippi

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 16:15:00 +0000

In South Carolina, authorities find an elderly couple dead in a home with an astonishing temperature. The government of China proposes regulations on children and gaming. In Hinds county, Mississippi, investigators discover more than 200 people were buried anonymously, with no attempt to contact their families. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Does India have assassination rings?

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Is the Indian government ordering assassinations on foreign soil? At first it sounds like a wingnut conspiracy theory -- yet over the past few months, multiple countries have alleged this to be the case. Why, exactly? Join Ben, Matt and Noel and as they explore this disturbing, strange story.

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Listener Mail: Smuggling Snacks, Missile Silos and the Paranormal, Letters From Home and More

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Foxillion Fastfoot reacts to the earlier story about items banned in the UK. Duke Nukem relates some of his experience in underground silos, prompting Ben and Noel to explore the concept of techtonic shifts, ghosts and UFOs stalking nukes. All this and more -- including some letters from home -- in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Rise of the Ghost Kitchen

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

During the pandemic lockdown, food delivery services exploded in popularity -- and, in most major cities, you could order any grub you imagined. However, there's something most customers might not know about their favorite restaurants --- they might not actually be restaurants at all. Tune in to learn more about the rise of ghost kitchens.

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CLASSIC: Sex Cults and Rocket Science: The Jack Parsons Story

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Jack Parsons was a rocket engineer and rocket propulsion researcher responsible for astonishing breakthroughs in his field. However, Parsons had a double life -- a private passion for the occult that led him to eventually join Aleister Crowley's new Thelemite religion, attempt the Babalon Working and hobknob with L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Tune in to learn more about the rocket scientist and real-life wizard Jack Parsons.

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Strange News: The Mouse Moves Public -- or Does He? An AirBnB Scam, a Tale of Two Secret Spacecraft

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

With a cavalcade of hot takes and further questions, Steamboat Willie debuts in the public domain. A long-run, unethical Air BnB grift nets profits and consequences. China and the US continue a strange bromance with the Shenlong and X-37B -- a space race, or a Space Olympics? The public may never know. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: The Beatles Conspiracies

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

As one of the biggest musical acts in human history, the Beatles didn't just fundamentally change the course of music -- they also affected society at large in numerous ways, evolving beyond musicians to larger-than-life icons in the public eye. And, over the decades, they've also become the subject of multiple conspiracy theories. Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: First-Hand Experience with the Red Sea Conflict, Burner Credit Cards, AI Questions

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Fickle Pickle prompts a discussion about AGI and non-human minds. Oz shares a concern about companies making burner credit cards. In a beautifully-written letter, Drop Kick recounts his first-hand experiences sailing the Red Sea -- and how this gave him a perspective most people may be missing as the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know builds toward war in the region. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Space Fungus!

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Since the early days of human space programs, every single space endeavor has encountered a continual hitchhiker: fungus. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange persistence of fungal life in space, asking: What if the best astronauts aren't human at all?

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CLASSIC: The Secrets of the Hidden Chinese Pyramid

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Pyramids aren't just for Egypt! Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the strange story of a hidden pyramid in China, an ancient lost civilization that, recently uncovered, holds disturbing secrets in the modern day.

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Strange News: Zombie Deer, We Need to Talk About The Supreme Court, Cigarettes and 'Terrorism'

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The danger of the current Supreme Court poses an actionable threat to the American public. Authorities warn of 'zombie deer,' and a border security group wants more funding to fight cigarette smuggling, which they frame as related to terrorism. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: Behind The Scenes of Atlanta Monster and Up and Vanished with Payne Lindsey

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they interview Payne Lindsey, the creator of Atlanta Monster and Up and Vanished, for a behind-the-scenes look at Payne's process for developing these shows (as well as a sneak peek on Up and Vanished Season 2).

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Listener Mail: PB Pills, Free Tablets, Community Takeovers?

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Whatnot is suspicious of a 'free tablet' offer from a company with unfavorable customer reviews. Anon and Kimo respond to the earlier conversation about burn pits and exposure to toxic substances -- including pills provided by Uncle Sam. Up in New Jersey, Hoboken Johnny asks for more awareness of controversial grifts and graft, prompting a stunning conversation about the role of state and religion in America. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What if plants are cultivating YOU?

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The story of human history is also a story of symbiosis -- since ancient days, humans and plants have grown in step with each other. Yet more and more scientists, philosophers and scholars are asking whether civilization has misunderstood this relationship: What if, instead of humans domesticating plants, they've been domesticating us the entire time? Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the concept of a bizarre, ongoing, plant-led conspiracy.

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CLASSIC: Is the Ark of the Covenant Hidden in Ethiopia?

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The Ark of the Covenant is the legendary wooden chest said to hold Ten Commandments, engraved on stone tablets. For thousands of years people have searched for the Ark with little to no success. However, according to the guardians of The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, the ark itself has been hidden in Ethiopia for millennia.

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Strange News: Mortgage Company Hacked, Operation Prosperity Guardian, Dolphin with 'Thumbs'

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Mortgage company Mr. Cooper goes public with a cyber attack that compromised millions of customers' personal data. Scientists in the Mediterranean spot a dolphin that appears to have 'thumbs' - possibly atavistic traits prompting a conversation about evolution and pollution. As instability mounts in the Red Sea, the US military announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international initiative to combat attacks on shipping vessels. The operation has already drawn controversy as several involved countries asked not to be named -- and critics wonder whether this represents an escalation into widespread war across an already unstable region. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: Do angels have a language?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Belief in supernatural, divine beings like angels dates back into antiquity and occurs throughout numerous religions. Even in the modern day, numerous Americans are convinced that angels (or something like them) exist and intervene in human affairs. So, outside of anecdotes and personal opinion, is there any proof these creatures exist? To one enormously influential scientist, magician and philosopher, Angels left one indisputable proof of their existence: A secret language, predating humanity -- one with the power to reveal the secrets of the universe. Listen in to learn more about Enochian language and John Dee.

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CLASSIC: The End Of The World with Josh Clark

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

How long do humans have left on Earth? As species go, humanity has had a brief, incredibly transformative run here on Earth. We've mined resources, farmed food, hunted animals, built cities and polluted ecosystems across the globe. There's no denying we've also made tremendous technological breakthroughs -- but could some of those same innovations ultimately become the agents of our collective demise? Join the guys as they interview Stuff You Should Know cohost Josh Clark about the science behind his newest podcast, The End Of The World.

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CLASSIC: Italy's Satanic Murders

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

If you're an American, you're probably familiar with the famous 'Satanic Panic' of the 80s and 90s -- but did you know Italy experienced something extremely similar? And, even crazier, did you know that Italy has a documented case of an active Satanic conspiracy? Listen in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: One For The Witches, Cochlear Implants and Hearing Voices, The Hidden Lithium War

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

RedScotWitch replies to the witch hunt episode, and prompts a conversation about speaking with the dead. Kitty asks for more information about the relationship between cochlear implants and the phenomenon of hearing voices. In a stunning first-hand account, JayBird reveals the hidden war over control of Earth's lithium. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Mysterious Inventors, Part I: Crazy Cars and Creepy Islands

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Humans are phenomenally inventive creatures -- problem is, some of their inventions may end up disrupting the status quo. As we explore the history of inventors, we find history is riddled with mysterious deaths, con artists, shady business and countless allegations of conspiracy. How many of these strange stories could be true? Tune in for the first installment of this ongoing series: Mysterious Inventors.

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CLASSIC: The Control Group with Bret Wood

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

In the era of the Cold War, intelligence agencies on both sides of the iron curtain desperately raced to secure any possible technological advantage, even if it meant breaking the law along the way. Join the guys as they interview filmmaker Bret Wood, the creator of The Control Group podcast, about the real-life events that inspired the first fiction podcast by HowStuffWorks.

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Strange News: Alabama's Fast Food Slave Trade, US Sweets Banned, Congress Draws A Line

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:07:48 +0000

A recent lawsuit alleges the state of Alabama actively conspires to force incarcerated people into slavery under a crooked 'work release' program -- and keeps these people imprisoned to guarantee the grift. The UK seizes multiple US products due to illegal ingredients. The US Congress shuts down a bill that would have drastically expanded surveillance power against residents. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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What Happened to Glenn Miller?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Glenn Miller was an international superstar when he abruptly decided to dissolve his band and join the US military during WWII. While his songs were still being played across the world, he took a last-minute flight from England to France... and disappeared. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the mystery, asking a question that remains officially unsolved in the modern day: What happened to Glenn Miller?

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Listener Mail: UK Disaster Prep, Airplane Safety, and North Sentinel Island

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Mark writes in with information about dangerous chemical exposure to veterans. North Ireland Fan asks why her government wants everyone to buy candles. Big Purp prompts a conversation about North Sentinel Island and the nature of language. Ground Control and Soup Sandwich share their first-hand experiences with airplane safety. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Ghost Minds and Grief Tech: Should We Bring Back The Dead?

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

All of human history is, at heart, a tale of people attempting to cheat death -- and, up to now, everyone has failed to do so. But what if emergent technology may allow us to, in a way, bring back the dead? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the concept of Grief Tech. One day soon, ghosts may become real... and we'll be the ones building them.

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CLASSIC: The Hollywood Sex Cult - NXIVM

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

On the surface, NXVIM seemed like any other multi-level marketing company or self-help group. It offered numerous development seminars and executive success programs, just like those of other, similar institutions. Yet NXVIM had a sinister side, a hidden circle in which abuse, sexual slavery, fraud and physical branding were commonplace. Tune in as the guys answer the question: At what point does a company move from being an MLM to becoming a cult?

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Strange News: Long-term US Official Exposed as Cuban Spy, QAnon Queen Trolled, the 23andMe Hack

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

23andMe reacts to a massive hack compromising information of customers across the world. Benevolent trolls infiltrate the telegram channels of the QAnon Queen. Career US diplomat Victor Manuel Rocha is charged with spying for Cuba -- for more than forty years! All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Extraordinary Rendition: Yes, The Government Can Kidnap You

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

While there are many forms of government they all have one thing in common: they make the rules. In theory, they maintain order and safety as well. But how far could a government go to defend what it sees as the 'Greater Good?' In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the infamous global kidnapping phenomenon known as extraordinary rendition. What is this cross-country conspiracy? How did it start? What are the consequences in the modern day?

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Listener Mail: Did OpenAI Build a Non-human Entity? Water Treatment, Mandela Effect and Google Maps

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 16:03:17 +0000

The Turd Herder calls in to speak about UV light and water treatment. Agent 907 asks about the Mandela effect. Anonymous describes issues with Google Maps, and GPS overall. Elijah and several other sources ask for more information about the accelerating potential -- and potential for conspiracy -- surrounding research into AI: What if something 'wakes up'? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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What is Exercise Flintlock?

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Since 2005 -- officially -- the United States has conducted a training program known as Exercise Flintlock. This program, which has multiple partners in various roles, aims to educate and prepare forces in Africa's Sahel region against the growing threat of non-state actors and terrorists. Proponents argue it saves lives. Critics allege it's another School of the Americas... and that the US may well be creating the same villains it claims to fight.

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CLASSIC: Henry Kissinger, America's Darth Vader

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Henry Kissinger has worn many hats over the course of his long life. To some, his geopolitical career is a study in the ruthless, brilliant application of realpolitik. To others, he is a war criminal responsible for massive waves of death in multiple countries across the globe. Join the guys as they delve into the strange, at times disturbing career of Henry Kissinger -- including the Stuff He Doesn't Want You To Know. On the heels of Kissinger's death, the guys revisit this Classic episode.

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Strange News: The UK Has A Monster Problem, Saudi Arabia Conspires to Hook You on Oil, A Naked Guy at Disney.

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

A naked man causes chaos at Disney. Saudi Arabia courts controversy with a program meant to hook developing countries on fossil fuels. A recent UK investigation finds the infamous necrophiliac, rapist and murder David Fuller was allowed to commit heinous crimes for well over a decade -- prompting the question: Why do these individuals seem to operate with impunity, so often, in that country? All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: What is Agent Orange?

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Named for the orange stripe lining the 55 gallon barrels containing this herbicide and defoliant, Agent Orange was one of the most widely-used "rainbow herbicides" of the Vietnam war. But it wasn't just harmful to plants. Soon after it was deployed in Vietnam, Vietnamese citizens and US veterans alike reported crippling, life-threatening symptoms.

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CLASSIC: Stanley Kubrick: The Man and the Myths

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Legendary auteur Stanley Kubrick is considered one of the most important single individuals in the history of modern film. There’s no question that his techniques, approach and body of work have influenced countless filmmakers -- but, according to some people -- he’s affected the public in much more disturbing ways. Join the guys as they dive into the conspiratorial allegations surrounding Stanley Kubrick.

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Hypnosis: Fact and Fiction

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Most people are familiar with some version of "hypnosis" -- at least as it's portrayed in fiction. But what is hypnosis, exactly? Why did this fancy name for a trance state become such an infamous term, and why have so many people made extravagant claims about the concept? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the fact and fiction surrounding 'hypnosis' -- spoiler: the trance state is real, and a lot of people conspire to make money off it.

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CLASSIC: The Mystery of North Sentinel Island

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

India controls numerous islands in the Indian Ocean, and they have a strange set of rules for North Sentinel Islands -- a tiny, remote place most people wouldn't visit anyway. You see, the Indian government maintains a 'zone of exclusion' surrounding the island, with no ships, helicopters or people allowed within miles of the shore. Ordinarily one might assume this is a secret military base or the site of an environmental disaster -- but the real answer is even stranger. Tune into to learn more about the mystery of North Sentinel Island.

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CLASSIC: Who created the opioid epidemic?

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

In the U.S. doctors often prescribe opioids for pain management, and it's no secret that these substances are a big business for pharmaceutical companies -- and, increasingly, it's no secret that exposure to these legal pills are turning patients into unwilling addicts. So how exactly did the U.S. come to find itself in the grip of an opioid epidemic, and who should be held responsible? Perhaps most importantly, how can the nation recover?

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CLASSIC: The Ariel School UFO Encounter

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

On September 16, 1994, teachers and school officials at the Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe were amazed when the school's students reported that a flying object had landed on the school grounds. What makes this sighting unique? What differentiates it from other UFO reports? Join the guys as they interview Randall Nickerson about his investigation of the sighting, and his upcoming documentary on the Ariel School UFO encounter.

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Listener Mail: Massive Recalls, Chicken Nuggets, the Balfour Declaration and the Shadow of Upton Sinclair

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Lord of Enjoyment calls in with some additional context on the Tyson chicken nugget recall. A letter prompts a conversation about the controversy surrounding the Balfour Declaration. Multiple anonymous sources prove the problem of contamination is much, much bigger than just chicken nuggets -- and it turns out Upton Sinclair's groundbreaking novel The Jungle still matters in the modern day. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Who Killed JFK? with Rob Reiner

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Sixty years ago this week, US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. In tonight's conversation, Ben, Matt and Noel join the legendary director, actor, writer, and activist Rob Reiner to explore the assassination -- in his newest project, Rob finally answers the question: Who killed JFK?

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CLASSIC: The Kennedy Curse

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The Kennedy family is one of the most well-known and influential dynasties in US politics, and the family members are enormously wealthy. Yet despite successfully seeding nepotism at the heights of government, functioning as pseudo-celebrities and racking up substantial profits over the generations, the family has historically been fraught with personal tragedy. Join the guys as they crack the case of the Kennedy curse.

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Strange News: Volcanic Eruptions on the Rise, Emergency Pizza, Superpigs and Missing Window Planes

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:11:39 +0000

Minnesota braces for an invasion of superpigs. Domino's emergency pizza promotion backfires. A plane flies to 13,000 feet before people discover missing windows. Ben's recent travels prompt a conversation about global volcanic eruptions: Are they on the rise, or are we simply noticing them more often? All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: What is the Key of Solomon?

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Imagine that you could possess a genuine, real-life spellbook -- something that could enable you to summon and command otherworldly powers, to accrue riches and shed light on the dark mysteries of the heavens. People who believe such a thing is possible often point to the legendary Key of Solomon as proof that genuine grimoires exist. But what is this book, exactly? Tune in as the guys attempt to separate the fact from fiction surrounding the Key of Solomon.

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Listener Mail: The Mushroom Update, Bizarre Schuylkill Messages, Desalination, Colorado Bigfoot

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:18:00 +0000

Conspiracy Realists from across the world hip Ben, Matt and Noel to updates on the Australia mushroom poisoning case. A new example of desalination. Callers weigh in on Bigfoot. Over in Schuylkill, locals find themselves plagued by a continuing series of bizarre messages hidden in products sold at various stores. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Will Plants Stop Photosynthesis?

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Pretty much every living thing relies on plants. Through the superpower of photosynthesis, they function as the great translators of solar energy, powering the planet. Yet like any other living thing, they are vulnerable to changes in the world around them -- and scientists are increasingly concerned that, one day, plants may cease photosynthesis entirely. So... what happens when it stops?

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CLASSIC: The Hidden Tomb of Genghis Khan

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Genghis Khan was one of the world's most successful conquerors, and his empire left an indelible mark across Eurasia. Yet upon his death his body was spirited away to an unmarked grave, and everyone associated with the burial -- so far as we know -- was put to death in an effort to keep the location secret. So what exactly happened to Genghis Khan? Could it be possible that someone actually knows where it is, and has somehow kept the location hidden for almost 800 years?

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Strange News: The Great Chicken Nugget Recall, Blinding Lasers at NFT Concert, Tires Are Killing Salmon

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:11:13 +0000

Food giant Tyson recalls 30,000 pounds of chicken nuggets due to possible metal contamination. Bored Ape partygoers wake to find laser light may have permanently injured their eyes. Scientists and native communities raise the alarm about a common chemical in tires, which may spell doom for salmon populations. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: How can you become a ufologist?

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

UFO researchers, also known as ufologists, make frequent appearances in pop culture, and many are professional, full-time experts in their field. But how exactly does one become a ufologist? Join the guys as they dive into this question, searching for the most (and least) credible paths to becoming a genuine ufologist.

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CLASSIC: Can a President pardon himself?

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

According to the U.S. Constitution, the President of the United States has the power to pardon pretty much anyone. This is a broad, sweeping power that past administrations have used in a variety of ways, some more controversial than others. However, in recent years scholars, voters and politicians have wrestled with a strange question: Can a standing President pardon him- or herself? In today's episode, the guys speak with Professor Brian C. Kalt, the author of “Constitutional Cliffhangers: A Legal Guide for Presidents and Their Enemies” to learn about the history and future of pardons -- and what to expect if a standing President attempts to pardon themselves.

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CLASSIC: Will Google start impersonating you?

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

If you're like millions of other people, you hate making phone calls. "Why can't I just text," you might think, "and only call if there's an emergency?" Google may soon have a solution with Duplex, a new technology for conducting natural conversations to carry out “real world” tasks over the phone. For many this feels like a startling and innovative convenience -- no more awkward conversations making appointments or routine check-ins, right? Yet critics of this concept warn we may be approaching something much bigger, and much more dangerous, than a simple piece of helpful software. If computers begin effectively impersonating you, how will you be able to prove your own identity?

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CLASSIC: Conspiracies That Turned Out To Be True

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Often in the mainstream media the term "conspiracy theory" is used as a way of dismissing a claim or idea immediately -- and it's a technique that works more often than you might think. However, despite the ardent efforts of various powerful groups across the planet, numerous events initially called conspiracy theories turned out to be conspiracy facts. Join the guys as they explore conspiracies that turned out to be true.

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Strange News: Eyedrops, Real Estate, Site 512 and Celine Dion

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Updated studies confirm the danger of certain eyedrops. A groundbreaking class-action suit prompts disturbing questions about commercial real estate. US action at Site 512 raises questions in the Negev desert. The music of Celine Dion raises controversy in New Zealand. All this and more as Ben, Matt and Codename: Doc Holliday explore Strange News.

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CLASSIC: Did Buzz Aldrin see a UFO?

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Over the course of his career with NASA, legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin changed the course of human history. From his groundbreaking work with EVA techniques to his walk on the moon with Apollo 11 mission commander Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin has seen and done astonishing things. In 2018, news outlets claimed Buzz Aldrin had one more astonishing achievement under his belt, an event kept secret until the modern day: Apparently, he had seen a UFO in space.

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Listener Mail: DARE, Abyssal Zones, Eat More Insects

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

No One in Particular raises a fascinating point about the old-school D.A.R.E. program in US schools. Corporations want you to eat more bugs. Beeswax, notyours writes in with a harrowing tale of an escaped federal detainee -- all this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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A Hacker Saved The Internet

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

From a young age, Marcus Hutchins had a preternatural talent for code. As his online renown grew, he found himself at a series of ethical crossroads— and always on the right side of the law. Yet everything changed in 2017, when a US-created weapon went public: he was the only one who could stop the spread of the WannaCry virus. Doing so would require him to go public.

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CLASSIC: Expats and Espionage: The Story of Operation Chaos

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. government was desperate to maintain order and combat the growing domestic opposition to the war effort -- both the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. waged a war of ideas, of propaganda that could, in its own way, wield as much power as a bullet or a bomb. When U.S. deserters fled the war and traveled to the U.S.S.R. or neutral countries, they became a propaganda tool of immense proportions -- and the U.S. wanted them back, regardless of what laws might get broken, or how many people might be injured along the way. Join the guys as they explore the strange, secret story of Operation Chaos.

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Strange News: Massive Dime Heist, Big Bang Science, US Drug Stores Close

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:02:03 +0000

A crew of professional heisters accidentally hits a truck from the US Federal Mint, and struggles to unload hundreds of pounds of dimes. Scientists verify certain cosmic explosions create ingredients of organic life. In the US, thousands of pharmacies close. All of this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Earwitness: The Toforest Johnson Case, with Beth Shelburne

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

One July night in 1995, Deputy Sheriff William G. Hardy was shot behind the Crown Sterling Suites hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. While law enforcement had almost nothing to go on, prosecutors used shaky earwitness testimony to convict Toforest Johnson of the crime. Despite repeated appeals from multiple legal experts, he remains on death row to this day. In tonight's interview, award-winning journalist Beth Shelburne discusses how her new podcast Earwitness explores the ins and outs of this profoundly disturbing case -- and what it tells us about the US justice system.

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Listener Mail: E-girls and Military Recruitment, Diego Garcia, A Horror Story

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:34:12 +0000

Is the US military using 'E-girls' to manipulate young men into joining the armed forces? What is life really like at Diego Garcia? Have you sent us a scary story? All of this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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How Witch Hunts Actually Worked

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays people talking about "witch hunts" are usually referring to something in the realm of politics -- but not too long ago, church and state authorities really did hunt down, torture, and execute people suspected of trafficking with infernal powers. In this special Halloween episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the fact and fiction surrounding witch hunts... and why they still occur in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: What is Multi-level Marketing?

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

If you've ever spent time on Facebook or Instagram, you've probably seen a few strange posts advertising tremendous opportunities to start your own business -- along with a friend or acquaintance -- selling anything from cosmetics to nutritional supplements. And the opportunities don't stop there! You can also recruit your friends, loved ones and complete strangers to sell these products for you. It might sound too good to be true... and often it is. Join Ben and Matt as they delve into strange world of multi-level marketing, and the stuff its supporters don't want you to know.

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Strange News: Drug Cartels Ban Fentanyl, A Cure for Forever Chemicals, Bigfoot in Colorado and a Catalytic Conspiracy

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:13:07 +0000

Mexico's notorious Sinaloa cartel bans fentanyl -- promising gruesome consequences for anyone who doesn't comply. Traingoers may have encountered Bigfoot in Colorado. A California family is busted for running a multi-million dollar catalytic convertor smuggling ring, and a promising startup may have the cure for forever chemicals. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Who Wants To Live Forever?

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Since the dawn of human history, the great leaders of civilization sought the one thing they could neither buy nor steal: immortality. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the astonishing, troubling conspiracy afoot -- the first immortal may have already been born.

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Listener Mail: DEFCON, the QAnon Queen, a Haunted House and Divine Intervention

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 17:00:00 +0000

A letter from a Canadian listener fleshes out disturbing information about the QAnon queen. The Beekeeper shares a story about DEFCON. Green Garnet encounters a possible haunted house. Lezlee prompts a conversation about meditation and divine intervention. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Boy Scouts Abuse Scandal

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:48:46 +0000

For around a century, the Boy Scouts of America was considered one of the country's top youth organizations -- millions of children went through some part of scouting, and numerous public figures, former scouts themselves, would constantly praise the organization. However, scouting had a dark side, one that was an open secret for generations, and has only recently entered public conversation.

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CLASSIC: From Rock to UFOs: The Tom DeLonge Story

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

At the height of their success, the band Blink-182 became a key force in the development of pop punk. Despite their worldwide fame, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge eventually left the band. Why? Join Ben, Matt and special guest John Goforth of Hysteria 51 as they explore the story behind DeLonge's new mission -- a project he and his supporters believe could change the world.

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Strange News: Gaza Evacuation, Social Media Misinformation, and the Rise of New Weight Loss Drugs

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In the wake of the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza, the world wonders how a proposed evacuation plan will actually work. Social media -- X in particular -- seems to be a growing source of weaponized propaganda and misinformation. The rise of injectable weight loss drugs leads syringe companies to operate beyond their normal capacity. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Companies Started By Cults, Part II

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

From fast food to mass media, it can be tough to know who really runs a company. In tonight's episode, the guys return to more true stories of companies that are either founded by or run by groups the average person would consider... cults.

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Listener Mail: The Return of Order of Nine Angles, Letter From a Hydrologist, and the Dangers of Drug Analogs

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:41:00 +0000

An FBI investigation in New York leads to the discovery of 764, an online offshoot of the occult Order of 9 Angles, dedicated to pushing vulnerable children into self harm and sexual abuse. A hydrologist writes in to answer some of Ben, Matt and Noel's earlier questions about saltwater intrusion. A fellow Conspiracy Realist explores the dangers of drug analogs. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Tartarian Conspiracy

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

What if most of what we know about history is false? According to proponents of the Tartarian conspiracy, not too long ago Earth was home to an incredibly advanced civilization based in Eurasia, and extending around the world -- until a series of catastrophic mud floods and enemy powers destroyed it, and spent centuries trying to cover up their crime. That's the gist of the theory -- but the actual conspiracy theory about this so-called ancient empire is surprisingly recent.

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Strange News: Thailand's Most Prolific Serial Killer, Space Junk, Tupac, Resource Extraction and the QAnon Queen

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:40:39 +0000

Canada's QAnon Queen is back in the news, this time for occupying a rural, abandoned grade school. Someone has finally been charged in Tupac's murder. The FCC issues its first fine for space junk. In a disturbing, developing story: Thai authorities have apprehended the most prolific serial killer in the country's modern history -- "Am Cyanide" appears to have operated with impunity for nearly a decade. All this and (much) more in this week's strange news segment.

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CLASSIC: The Cult of the Garbage Eaters

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In small towns, neglected glades and college campuses across America, small groups of bearded wanderers in homespun clothes are spreading a message -- that the End of Times is upon us, and only the truly righteous shall be saved. Living primarily off the grid and on the fringes of society, this group has proven extremely effective at hiding its converts from law enforcement and concerned relatives. In fact, it's difficult to get a grip on exactly what this group is and what they wish to do. Join Ben and Matt for a closer look at the mysterious group 20/20 called "The Garbage Eaters".

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Cosmic Conspiracy: The New Space Race

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

As more and more countries -- and corporations -- make astonishing breakthroughs in space exploration, the public becomes increasingly convinced the world has entered a new space race. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore the dangerous future of this journey to the stars... and why powerful forces may conspire to turn this space race into a genuine space war.

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Listener Mail: Hearing Voices, Hacking Everything, and Med Beds

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Samurai shares his perspective on hearing voices. Anon relates the strange story of medbeds. Glass Gate reveals a terrifying look into just how easily gate codes and digital entry barriers can be compromised -- as well as why this won't be fixed anytime soon, and why your own personal security is way less... well, secure... than you might have assumed. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Have You Experienced Divine Intervention?

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Could some supernatural or spiritual forces really speak to human beings, or intervene on their behalf? While there is no scientific proof of God, humans throughout history have claimed divine forces were on their side. In tonight's episode the guys dive in, asking: Why is this belief so common?

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CLASSIC: Children and Prison

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:30:00 +0000

Compared to other countries, the US has a massive incarceration rate. While the prison system has passionate supporters and ardent opponents, there's another aspect to the story -- one often ingored and forgotten: What happens to the children of prisoners? Join the guys and special guest Julian Wyatt as they explore the untold story of children caught in the web of the prison industry.

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Strange News: Saltwater Invades New Orleans, Danish Artist Forced to Repay Museum, Germany Raids Occult Neo-Nazi Sect

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The US Army takes action as saltwater further compromises Louisiana, threatening hundreds of thousands of people in New Orleans. Danish artist Jen Haaning is forced to repay the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art after submitting two blank canvases. As domestic instability grows, German authorities ban the cultish Artgemeinschaft network, a secretive far-right network in an unprecedented, nation-wide raid. All this and more in this week's strange news network.

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The Cop City Episode

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

According to its supporters, The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center -- known locally as Cop City -- will be a crucial training ground for law enforcement and fire departments. However, critics claim this facility will wreak untold havoc on local neighborhoods, green space and the city overall as it further militarizes the police. In tonight's episode, the guys explore the ins and outs of Cop City... and why a growing number of Atlanta locals seem certain there's a conspiracy afoot.

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Listener Mail: Did the government tap your phone? The seedy Reedley Biolab, Fyre Fest and Atlanta Recommendations

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:08:50 +0000

A conversation with paranoid family members prompts Saturday Mourning Cartoons to ask whether the government really does tap people's phones. Bro Dude Man searches for more information about the Reedley Biolab. RJ shares some thoughts on Fyre Fest, and asks where to hang out in Atlanta. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Stuff Casinos Don't Want You To Know: Live in Vegas

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:30:00 +0000

While casinos work around the clock to create a glitzy, glamorous, spontaneous feeling, it turns out they are some of the most tightly-controlled environments on Earth. Every possible variable is accounted for. Every conceivable psychological tendency is leveraged -- even the geography of the casino has been the subject of intense research. This is all done to keep you there, playing, for as long as possible. Because the longer you play, the more money the casino stands to win. In tonight's special live episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the Stuff Casinos Don't Want You To Know.

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CLASSIC: Google, the Pentagon and AI

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Google -- or, more properly, Alphabet -- is a huge company, and is at the bleeding edge of numerous technological innovations. So, while it wasn't necessarily a surprise that Uncle Sam wanted Google's help building AI, it certainly disturbed a great many people, some of whom were Google's own engineers. So what exactly happened? Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the strange story of Project Maven in this classic episode.

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Strange News: Armenia Under Attack, A Missing Jet and Murders in LA

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Azerbaijan wages war against Armenia -- and from the US to Europe, from Russia to Iran, it seems no one will intervene to protect civilians. The US loses and later recovers an out-of-control fighter jet. In Los Angeles, two suspicious deaths cause locals to wonder whether there is an active serial murderer on the loose. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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How Hearing Voices Works

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever been convinced you heard a voice -- shout, a whisper, someone speaking directly to you -- only to turn around and realize no one was there? This experience is more common than we might comfortably imagine. For millennia, people who heard voices in their heads were considered prophets, lunatics, or vessels of infernal forces. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the nature of this particular paracusia -- ultimately learning modern science still struggles to understand what may well be a conspiracy within your own brain.

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Listener Mail: Astral Travel, Real Estate as Crime, Voluntary Adrenaline

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:14:23 +0000

Sam Hill recounts a disturbing story of Chinese forces buying up family farmland in the United States, prompting a conversation about the multibillion dollar shady practice of international real estate. Anon asks for help figuring out what appears to be a case of meditative, multiversal travel. Rice asks whether it's possible to voluntarily trigger the release of adrenaline through thought alone. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Underwater Internet

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

How does the internet get information from across the planet to your house? While many people might guess it's a matter of satellites and synchronous orbits, they'd only be partially correct -- the vast majority of data zipping around online moves through a network of undersea cables. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore how these cables work... and why more people should know about them.

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CLASSIC: What is the Windsor hum?

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For years residents of Windsor, Ontario have been haunted by a strange, disruptive noise. Sometimes compared to a truck idling or distant thunder, numerous residents say the noise has damaged people’s health and quality of life, But what exactly is the Windsor hum? Join the guys as they dive into the mystery.

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Strange News: Secret Service Agent Speaks Out on JFK, FDA Calls BS on Decongestants, Mexican Congress Views (Alleged) Alien Corpses

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The FDA concludes the primary active ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants may be nothing more than the placebo effect. A retired secret service agent goes public with his recollection of the JFK assassination in advance of his upcoming memoir. Ben dives into the news from Mexico, asking: Why did the Mexican Congress hold a hearing to examine purported alien corpses, knowing the people making these claims have an established track record of hoaxing the public? All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Wagner Update

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

With Yevgeny Prigozhin and the rest of Wagner leadership apparently confirmed dead in a suspicious airplane explosion north of Moscow, the merc army Wagner finds itself adrift. So what happens next? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the speculation, analysis, and numerous conspiracies surrounding the "complicated fate" of this notorious PMC... and why what happens next will affect people across the planet.

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Strange News: Harvard Astrophysicist Finds 'Spaceship Wreckage,' Rise of Superpigs Update, Massive Auto Recalls on the Horizon

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Harvard luminary Avi Loeb rocks the world with his discovery of bizarre, tiny objects off the coast of Papua New Guinea -- objects that don't just appear to be from outside the solar system... but may have been created by an intelligent force. An update on the European version of superpigs -- spoiler: radiation. Over in the US, there may be a massive auto recall on airbags. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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The Future of The Past: Who Will Control History?

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For thousands of years groups of humans have each told their own religious and social narratives, building a past that attempts to explain the present and the future. And, unfortunately, since the dawn of recorded time these groups have also sought to make sure their version of history is the 'real' one. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the strange practice of controlling the past -- and why this conspiracy continues, unabated, in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: Have psychics solved any actual crimes?

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

It's a common trope in film and TV -- a police department at their wits' end calls in a favor and makes contact with a genuine psychic, someone in tune with the greater mysteries of life, death and the universe. In works of fiction these individuals often do possess some spark of extraordinary ability, but what about in real life? Join the guys as they delve into the world of true crime and allegations of ESP to discover whether any real-life psychics have solved actual crimes.

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Listener Mail: Can You Be Anonymous Online? Murders at the Brooklyn Mirage. A Haunting Story From Disney's Haunted Mansion.

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:02:15 +0000

Nemesis updates his fellow Conspiracy Realists on the growing difficulties of remaining anonymous online. Pink Fairy Angel calls in to relate an immensely disturbing series of murders, kidnapping and robberies centered around the Brooklyn Mirage. Gracie shares not just an urban legend -- but a tale of first-hand experience in Disney's Haunted Mansion. Join Ben and Matt as they explore these stories and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Oh, The Places You Can't Go

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

It's a wide, beautiful, and at-times terrifying world -- and, these days, it may seem more connected than ever. However, make no mistake: it's also full of place you cannot go. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore some of the world's most forbidden places -- and why certain forces conspire to keep you away.

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Listener Mail: Ghost Weddings, Bob Berdella, Maldives and A Proxy War

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

A listener asks the gang for more information about Ghost Weddings. GP Scoothe writes in to tell the tale of Bob Berdella. A story about a burgeoning proxy war in the Maldives, one of the first countries that may lose itself to the rising ocean. And a few letters from home. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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How Corn Took Over America

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The US is a corn superpower. Over the past few decades, corn has infiltrated all sorts of things, from soda pop and snacks to your own gas tank. But how did it get this way? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the strange world of agribusiness conspiracies in what just may be their corniest episode yet.

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CLASSIC: What is Predictive Programming?

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What if everything you encounter in your day-to-day interactions is somehow prescient? Are the games you play and the films you watch meant to normalize genres of experience -- and, if so, to what end? Ben and Matt explore the idea of weaponized mass media from the early days of deification to a startling story by Edgar Allan Poe and beyond.

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Strange News: Flannery Associates Revealed, A Hunt for Nessie, and Worms Move Into Brains

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:21:53 +0000

The mysterious group buying thousands of acres around Travis Air Force Base turns out to be a group of tech luminaries and investors -- and they plan to build a new city. A woman in Australia survives the removal of a live roundworm from her brain. Scotland recently hosted the largest-ever search for Nessie, the infamous Loch Ness cryptid. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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How To Build An Urban Legend

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

From ghostly hitchhikers to tales of insidious alien conspiracies, everyone loves a good spooky campfire story. But where do modern legends come from? Why do they all seem to have certain common threads? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel don't just break down how these stories work: they teach you, step by step, how to build your own -- and, most importantly, how the same storytelling process has been weaponized against you, with dangerous results.

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Listener Mail: Divine Intervention, Smoking Wet, Billionaire Names and Deadly Mushrooms

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Nightshift calls in with a stunning tale of a harrowing brush with death. Anon wants to become a billionaire named Poo-poo-pee-pee Hands (and there's a good reason for it). An update on the Australian mushroom case. The guys finally get an explanation about 'smoking wet.' All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Is Reality a Computer Simulation?

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:00:00 +0000

What if the world we experience isn't ...well... real? The question has haunted countless human civilizations since antiquity, and we continue to wrestle with the dilemma in the modern day. From Plato's allegory of the cave to gnosticism and the Matrix trilogy, it appears tons of people are convinced there's more to the story of reality than meets the eye. And, just a few years back, one philosopher may have cracked the code. Tune in to learn more about reality as a computer simulation.

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CLASSIC: DNA and Crime: The Original Night Stalker

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

It’s official -- after decades of dead ends, tantalizing theories and frustrating leads, justice has finally caught up with The Golden State Killer, also known as The Original Night Stalker. 72 year old Joseph James DeAngelo seemed set to quietly disappear from history, known only as a grandfather with a weird temper problem -- one of the cranky old men so common in neighborhoods across suburban America. But new DNA analysis leveraging the massive, growing databases in both federal and private hands led law enforcement down a trail they'd long thought had grown cold. Tune in to learn more about how justice finally caught up to the Golden State Killer.

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Strange News: Wagner Leaders in Plane Crash, Fyre Festival, and Modern Moon Missions

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Leaders of the notorious Russian mercenary group Wagner are believed to have died in a plane crash north of Moscow just a few months after what appears to have been a rebellion against Russian president Vladimir Putin. Fyre Festival returns, with no sign of Ja Rule. In a big week for space, both India and China attempt moon landings. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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A War For Chips: The Semiconductor Episode

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The modern world runs on microchips and semiconductors. There's no way around it -- and the semiconductor business is perhaps one of the most important industries on the planet. But there are some serious problems (and conspiracies) on the horizon. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into a ticking time bomb of supply, demand, and conflict... discovering why these tiny chips may just be the thing that causes World War III.

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CLASSIC: The Murky World of Serial Killer Memorabilia

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Whether in fiction or in real life, the concept of the serial killer occupies a unique space in the American zeitgeist. Audiences across the planet flock to films about serial killers, and readers across the world peruse headlines of true life crimes with morbid (in some cases, obsessive) curiosity. And, for many, this fascination goes further than reading a book or watching a film. Join the guys as they shine a light on the controversial, secretive trade of relics known as murderbilia.

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Speak to Us: Voicemail Edition

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The guys play some of the most intriguing messages you've sent them. Listen in for unidentified aerial vehicles, giant sun-umbrellas, and much (much) more in this special voicemail edition of listener mail.

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CLASSIC: From the Past to the Modern Day: Does torture actually work?

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

It's one of the most ancient practices in human civilization, and one that continues in the modern day. In recent decades experts, military officials and activists alike have argued over the definitions of torture -- and, most importantly, whether it actually works. So how much truth is there to the claims that, while unethical, torture delivers results? What's the Stuff the Authorities Don't Want You To Know about what goes on in those unobserved black sites hidden across the planet? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Peruvian Aliens, the Sackler Family and Prison, Robotaxis and Newspaper Raids

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:10:00 +0000

Peruvian authorities attempt to calm a rural community by telling them they're not being harassed by aliens -- but by illegal gold miners who, for some reason, have jetpacks. When a newspaper in Marion County irritates a local restauranteur, she orders the police to raid the premises under false pretenses. Robotaxis breakdown, causing mayhem in San Francisco. Join Ben and Matt for all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Does Aspartame Give You Cancer?

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For decades, health-minded consumers have sought alternatives to natural sugar -- aspartame, marketed under any number of brand names, is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners in the world. Yet it appears this billion-dollar industry may have a dark side: for many years, critics alleged aspartame may be responsible for any number of dangerous side effects. And, just recently, the World Health Organization released a groundbreaking statement alleging this substance may be carcinogenic. So what's going on, exactly? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Celebrity Murders, Jewish Exorcisms, Billionaire Hobbies and Trading Card Heists

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

An anonymous LEO writes in to explain part of the reason public figures' murder cases seem to garner more investigation. Mosche prompts a conversation about exorcisms outside of the Catholic faith. Captain Proton writes with news of a massive trading card heist. Multiple Conspiracy Realists respond to Ben's earlier question about strange billionaire hobbies. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Is the US Navy Covering Up Radioactive Waste?

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

If you're not from the San Francisco area, you may never have heard of Hunters Point -- but, back in the day, this was a tremendously important shipyard. Over the course of recent decades, various groups have pushed to reinvent the area as a new series of residential communities -- however, there's one big problem: this area may carry poisons from generations past, and those substances may pose serious risks for people living in the area today. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the disturbing tale of Hunters Point, from secreat nuclear experiments to industrial pollution and, it seems, an ongoing cover-up.

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CLASSIC: Are frogs really changing gender?

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

You might have heard this one before -- for years, various fringe researchers and commentators have argued that the government or some other shadowy entity is purposefully changing the gender of amphibians (specifically, frogs) throughout the United States. So what's the truth behind the headline? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they separate the hilarious fiction from the disturbing facts of the case.

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Strange News: 'Death Cap' Mushroom Poisoning, Criminal Bear Apprehended, Mysterious Leprosy Outbreak in Florida

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 16:20:00 +0000

Three people have died under mysterious circumstances, apparently due to ingesting 'death cap' mushrooms in Australia. Hank the Tank, a bear known for repeatedly breaking into home, has been apprehended. In Florida, experts remain unable to explain exactly how leprosy seems to spiking in a specific area of the state (and possibly spreading). Additionally, environmental chaos may be making the 'perfect storm' for diseases once thought to be under control. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Sad Oligarch, with Jake Hanrahan

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 17:45:00 +0000

In just nine months, a dozen prominent Russian oligarchs -- businessmen who run major industries in step with the Russian government -- died. Some deaths could be accidents. Some looked like suicides. Yet in each case, investigators found the official conclusions didn't seem to hold up. So what's happening to all these powerful men? Ben, Matt and Noel join special guest Jake Hanrahan to learn more from his newest show Sad Oligarch.

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Listener Mail: Skyborg, Misdiagnosis, Madlib and More

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:10:00 +0000

Could Skyborg be even worse than we thought? Why are some conditions so often misdiagnosed in women? A listener makes a timely complaint about madlibs. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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UFOs and Congress

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Recently, Congress held another hearing on the idea of UAPs -- and this time, three eyewitness attended. Their claims, if even partially true, could fundamentally alter humanity's umnderstanding of the universe. UFOlogist see this as an watershed moment in history; critics see it as a cynical distraction from all-too-real, earthly problems. So what exactly happened? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: Imperialism and Iran

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The Islamic Republic of Iran, located in western Asia, has historically been the seat of several massively influential empires. Today, it's home to over 81 million people and some of the world's most lucrative petroleum supplies. Currently tensions between Iran and the West are ratcheting up at an unprecedented rate, and both sides portray the other as unrepentant antagonists hellbent on destruction. So how did we get here? Join the guys as they delve into the strange history of Iran, imperialism, the West and war.

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Strange News: Mystery Company in California, Japan's Were-collie, the Lunar Codex

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:22:18 +0000

A mysterious group named Flannery Associates is spending millions buying up all the land around a California Air Force base -- and no one, apparently not even Congress -- knows who owns this company. A man in Japan goes viral (again) for his expensive collie suit. Scientists plan to store human knowledge on the moon in case of social collapse. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Billionaires Have Strange (and Dangerous) Hobbies

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What does your average billionaire do for fun? In many ways, the world's wealthiest people are just like anyone else -- except, of course, that they can pour ungodly amounts of money into their hobbies. In tonight's solo episode, Ben Bowlin dives deep into the strange world of billionaire hobbies... and why these hobbies can be much, much more dangerous than we might assume.

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CLASSIC: What are Ultraterrestrials?

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Despite diligent, time-consuming efforts by institutions across the planet, human beings have yet to find any universally-accepted proof of extraterrestrial life. For many, this is a simple function of the math involved -- the universe is just too large for us to plausibly meet creatures from another planet. But according to several fringe researchers, we're just looking in the wrong place. We should focus, they argue, not on life from other planets... but on life from other dimensions. Listen in to learn more about the strange story of the Ultraterrestrial theory.

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Big Sugar, with Celeste Headlee

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that America runs on sugar -- from bread to soda, from candy to packaged food, this stuff seems to be in everything. How did this come to be, and what made Big Sugar so powerful? In today's conversation, special guest veteran reporter Celeste Headlee joins Ben, Matt and Noel to discuss her new podcast Big Sugar, which dives deep into the dark side of this insidious industry, from its early roots in slavery all the way to the modern day.

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CLASSIC: Is the Palace of Versailles haunted?

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

When Louis XIV expanded his father's old hunting pavilion he created one of the greatest achievements in French 17th century art -- a massive, opulent compound that became the seat of high society and French government. In the modern day, the Palace of Versailles remains an enormously popular tourist attraction and, according to some, a hotspot for for paranormal activity, including ghosts and time travel.

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CLASSIC: Uncaught Serial Killers, Part 3

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In the third segment of this recurring series, Ben, Matt and Noel return to the grisly world of true crime, killers who not only committed multiple murders but were never caught and, in some cases, may well be alive and free today. Several of these murderers may be people you've never heard of, while others may be infamous. One thing's for sure, however: Many of these cases remain open and unsolved, and you or someone you know may be the person who can finally provide a lead, solve the crime and finally put these monsters behind bars.

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The EBO Post: Fact vs. Fiction

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What would you do if you had proof of non-human, intelligent life? In a recent case that shook the online UFO community, an anonymous reddit poster claimed to be a molecular biologist who worked for years at a top-secret government lab dedicated to studying the biology and culture of "EBOs" -- in tonight's episode, Ben and special guest Max Williams dive deep into the extraordinary claims of the post, working to suss out whether there's any truth to it... or whether there's something else at play.

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Listener Mail: Skyborg, Public Schools, and Divine Visitations

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Big Bean prompts a conversation about the future of drone warfare. Alice shares her experience with gifted programs in public schools. The Funky House writes about divine visitations, sharing an experience that convinces the guys to investigate the phenomena further. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Exorcist Files, with Ryan Bethea

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

When many people think of exorcism and possession, they think of horror novels, films, and other works of fiction. But real-world exorcisms still occur in the modern day. In fact, reports of possession are on the rise. In this today's show, the guys are joined with Ryan Bethea, creator and cohost of The Exorcist Files podcast, to discuss how his show explores modern cases of possession through the experiences of the renowned exorcist Father Carlos Martins.

For more information on the show, visit https://www.exorcistfiles.tv/

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CLASSIC: Behind the Curtain of the Music Industry with J. Prince

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For most fans, the music industry can be a relatively obscure enterprise — we might know our favorite singers, MCs or bands, but often we have no idea what goes on behind the scenes as managers, labels and government agencies attempt influence, spread or suppress the music you hear. In this episode Ben, Matt and Noel meet with J. Prince, the founder of Rap-A-Lot records, to learn more about what the music industry does — and does not — want its listeners to know.

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Strange News: Long Island Serial Killer Suspect Arrested, NPC TikTok, and the Murder of Tupac Shakur

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:07:16 +0000

It's been a strange week for serial murder: after years of dead ends, authorities appear to have captured the Long Island Serial Killer -- and there may also be a new lead on the identity of Jack the Ripper. The NPC TikTok trend becomes a subject of confusion and debate on Twitter. SWAT searches a home in Nevada, apparently in connection with the still-unsolved murder of Tupac Shakur. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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Studio Conspiracies: Behind the Scenes of the Silver Screen

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Today, the Golden Age of Hollywood is seen as a time of larger-than-life starlets, of unprecedented innovation and modern myth-making. However, there was a dark side to all the glitz and glamour. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into a cavalcade of scandal, corruption and conspiracy at the heart of early Hollywood.

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Listener Mail: Vibes, Palau, A Haunting in Atlanta and the Sinister Google Sign-in

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Yenna politely asks the guys to stop ruining seafood; Little Girl on a Little Island raises concerns about US imperialism. Chris from Atlanta might be haunted. Nemesis prompts a conversation about the possibly insidious nature of various online sign-in services. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Was Public School Created To Make Factory Workers?

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Every day, across the United States, millions of children wake up to attend school. In this country, all children are guaranteed a right to education -- and, while while everyone agrees kids should be able to learn, millions of parents have serious problems with the modern education regime. Why? In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore how the modern system came to be... and whether it was created by historical elites to further their thirst for docile employees in the future.

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CLASSIC: Is democracy impossible?

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In Stuff They Don't Want You To Know's inaugural podcast, Ben and Matt explored the strange career of Edward Bernays, the then-obscure Father of Public Relations responsible for selling the American public on everything from bacon as breakfast to corporate-driven wars in South and Central America. All for some greater good packaged as 'democracy'. Today, many institutions, governments and organizations remain publicly convinced that some form of democracy is the superior -- or simply the least worst -- way to run these large groups of people we call countries. However, not everyone agrees. Join the guys as they delve into the story of Walter Lippmann, the Bernays-esque figure responsible for pushing the argument against democracy (and toward governance by an elite cabal) into the public sphere.

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Strange News: Gorillas Love Smartphones, Canada and Sterilization, the Taliban on Twitter, Surveillance in France

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Zoos are asking visitors to stop showing gorillas videos and photos from their phones, as this seems to fundamentally change the way the gorillas behave. The Taliban weighs in on the Twitter/Threads rivalry. France passes a disturbing law about wide-spread surveillance. All this and much more in this week's strange news segment.

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The One Where We Ruin Canned Seafood

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

During the pandemic, canned seafood experienced a boom in popularity -- and it made sense for uncertain times: this stuff is shelf-stable, nutritious and affordable. But, as Ben and Matt discover in this evening's episode, the seafood industry hides a dark, ongoing conspiracy at its heart: as you hear this episode, thousands upon thousands of people are currently enslaved in a complex trafficking ring, all to keep the prices down.

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Listener Mail: UAP Arms Race, the Death of Officer O'Keefe, What Could Go Wrong when Corporations Vote?

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Hopeful Cynic and Binyomin write in with excellent -- and disturbing -- responses to Ben's earlier questions about what happens when corporations are able to vote. Max Tout hips the gang to the mysterious death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. HoboBob asks about the possibility of a UAP arms race. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Mysterious Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:35:00 +0000

Almost everyone hears about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in grade school. Although the majority of these human-made marvels have been destroyed, their legacy remains in the modern day. And, according to some experts, at least one of these wonders may have never actually existed. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the mystery of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Cambridge Analytica and Facebook

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Love it or hate it, Facebook is one of the biggest success stories of the past century. Billions of people have profiles, and for many users it's the only source of online news or social interaction. And Facebook collects as much information as possible on each of these users, ostensibly to better target advertising campaigns. So what happens when someone starts using this vast collection of data for something else? What is Cambridge Analytica, and how deep does this rabbit hole go?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Aspartame and Cancer, Steroid Olympics -- and the White House Wants to Block Out the Sun

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The World Health Organization lists near-ubiquitous artificial sweetener aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Entrepreneur Aron d’Souza wants to create an 'enhanced' Olympic games. In an extremely weird move, the Biden administration floats the idea of combating climate change by... well... blocking out the sun. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Weird Finance, with Paco De Leon

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Let's face it: finance can be weird. The stock market is confusing, money as a concept is bizarre, and a lot of people feel awkward just thinking about anything dollar-related. Why is that? In today's interview, Ben and Matt sit down with author, podcaster and financial expert Paco de Leon to explore their work with Weird Finance, the Hell Yeah Group, and some of the conspiratorial concepts surrounding money.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Propaganda, Body Brokers, and Letters From Home

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

A fellow Conspiracy Realist prompts a conversation about propaganda, crowds and social dynamics. Anonymous writes in with first-hand experience in the world of body donation. Ben reads letters from Conspiracy Theorists across the planet. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Are "Vibes" Real?

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

We've all heard of 'vibes' -- it's a street name for seemingly inexplicable bursts of intuition, and often otherwise skeptical people can find themselves reacting to some unknown fear or desire. Explanations for this phenomenon range from allegations of psychic powers to microexpressions and the depths of the unconscious mind. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into theories that may explain vibes -- and Ben creates an intriguing theory that may solve the mystery of 'haunted houses.'

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Could a thought be alive?

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

From imaginary friends to tulpas, the idea that that the human mind can create life through focused thought alone is as old as recorded civilization. But what does science have to say about imaginary friends? Are they pure hallucinations, part of a healthy psychological process, or something else? Join the gang as they delve into the fact and fiction surrounding the strange idea of a living thought.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Corporations Get The Vote, A Navy Cover-up, and the Russian Coup that Wasn't

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The US Navy may be midway through a continuing cover-up out west. Ben, Matt and Noel speculate about the recent news from Russia. Over in Delaware, a small town wants to give corporations the right to vote, prompting a troubling conversation about the future of individual rights. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Tipping: A Conspiracy Afoot?

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:10:00 +0000

In recent years, the concept of tipping has become increasingly controversial -- but where does tipping come from? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the history of tipping, the intergenerational system surrounding it, and the future of what some call "the Land of the Fee."

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Winchester Mansion, A Hotel Of Terror, Update on VW Conspiracy

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:08:03 +0000

An update on the Volkswagen emissions scandal. A Conspiracy Realist explores the Winchester Mansion. There's a Hotel of Terror in Springfield, Missouri. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Bone Valley, with Gilbert King

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:35:00 +0000

What happens when an innocent person goes to prison for a crime they didn't commit? Is there any way for the average individual to escape a wrongful conviction? In today's show, Ben, Matt and Noel join Pulitzer Prize-winning author and podcaster Gilbert King to learn more about his newest show, Bone Valley.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Several Terrifying Things You Just Ate

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays it seems like a few times a year we’ll hear about a food scandal -- contaminated meat, perhaps, or recalled yogurt. We’ll also inevitably hear something like “studies show coffee is good, or bad, for you.” When you add up all these complaints, studies and articles it becomes alarmingly easy to think the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Or, rather, breadbasket. So what's the truth of the matter? Grab a snack and join the guys as they explore several troubling, possible terrifying foods consumed every day in the good ol' U.S. of A.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Fake Priests, Body Brokers and the Titan Sub Disaster

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

A California restaurant is caught using a fake priest to spy on employees. A Harvard morgue manager is caught selling body parts. The Titan submersible meets with unexpected disaster. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Should Any Books Be Banned?

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Should any books be banned? In recent years, the US has again wrestled with the concept of banning books -- in other words, controlling access to information. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the conundrums and conspiracies involved, ultimately asking: Who should be able to ban information? Who should control education, and why do so many powerful people spend so much time arguing about it?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Can AI hallucinate? Glioblastoma and Cellphones. An Incredibly Upset Australian.

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Can an "AI" hallucinate? Bob calls the show with a warning about wireless technology and medical conditions. The One They Call Ben befriends an enraged Australian. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Lava for Good Live: The War on Drugs - Did Anyone Win?

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In tonight’s episode the guys go live on stage, exploring the war on drugs, criminal justice reform, and corruption with top-notch subject matter experts. They’re joined with guests Gilbert King from Bone Valley, Clayton English and Greg Glod from The War on Drugs, and Jason Flom from Wrongful Conviction, each of whom specializes in exploring the ins and outs of what happens when the justice system gets things wrong… and what the average person can do to fix it.

Recorded Live at iHeart Media in Atlanta, GA on April 26th, 2023

Featuring hosts from the following podcasts;

Stuff They Don't Want You to Know

Bone Valley

The War on Drugs

Wrongful Conviction

To see photos and a video of the entire event go to;

https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/s1e11-lava-for-good-live-the-war-on-drugs-did-anyone-win/

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Great Volkswagen Cover-up, with Scott Benjamin

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For decades one the world's largest auto manufacturers lied to governments and the public, polluting the planet and evading the same environmental standards they themselves publicly championed. Of course, this is unfortunately a common occurrence in the murky world of corporate power, but here's one big difference: Volkswagen actually got caught. So what happened? Who perpetrated this vast, real-life conspiracy, and how were they caught? Join Ben and his returning special guest, CarStuff's Scott Benjamin, as they explore the strange, twisting tale of Volkswagen's attempt to swindle the public, exposing a genuine conspiracy and asking, perhaps most importantly: What happens next?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Secret Chinese Spy Station in Cuba, UFOs in Vegas, A Saturn Moon is Habitable

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 15:10:13 +0000

The US confirms China has operated a spy station right off the coast of Cuba since at least 2019. A 911 call leads to a bizarre encounter in Las Vegas. New studies reveal Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, may be habitable. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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What is snake oil?

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:00:00 +0000

Snake oil -- it's a strange phrase for all sorts of sham treatments and fake cures. But where did it come from? Why do so many hucksters conspire to sell false hope in the modern day? Join Ben and Matt as they dive deep into the history -- and deeply troubling future -- of snake oil.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Gremlins, Race Horse Deaths, and Solving the Toothpaste Heist

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:09:45 +0000

An email clarifies some questions about gremlins. Brockness weighs in on the controversial horse racing industry. Multiple Conspiracy Realists write in attempting to help the guys learn more about the Canadian Toothpaste Heist. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Cryptids of Ohio

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

You've heard of bigfoot -- but what about the frogman? Or the grassman? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the strange cryptozoology of Ohio.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What was the Chappaquiddick Incident?

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 21:00:00 +0000

On July 18th, 1969, campaign strategist Mary Jo Kopechne and Senator Ted Kennedy were involved in a single-car accident while departing a reunion held at Chappaquiddick island. Only one of them made it it out of the car alive. In the hours, days, weeks, years and decades since, numerous people have tried and failed to come up with conclusive answers about the sequence of events leading to Kopechne's tragic death. Join Ben and Matt as they interview Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan, the screenwriters behind the film Chappaquiddick, as they retrace their steps researching and writing the story, including their inspirations, their beliefs about what actually occurred, and why it's crucial to remember this incident in the modern day.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: The USA has UFOs? A Slow Collapse, and Psychedelic Cryoptography

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Former intelligence official David Charles Grusch rocks the world of UFOlogy with a stunning claim: extraterrestrial craft are real, and the US government has been collecting them for at least 80 years. Experts worry the world is at the mercy of an economic time bomb as $1.5 trillion in mortgages will come due in the next two years. A new competition focused on “Psychedelic Cryptography” awards artists who make videos with hidden messages designed to be seen by people tripping on hallucinogens. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Stuff Hotels Don't Want You To Know

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Hotels are part of an ancient history -- one dating back into antiquity. For most people, hotels are a pleasant place to pause and relax during a trip. But, as the guys learn in tonight's episode, it turns out there may be quite a bit of Stuff Hotels Don't Want You To Know.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: An Apartment Collapse, Big Pharma vs. Healthcare; The Rise of DarkBERT

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Ziggy writes in with a tragic story of an apartment collapse in Iowa. Ryan wonders about the future of gene editing, big pharma and health care. Specter introduces the guys to a strange 'AI' that uses the dark web as its classroom: DarkBERT. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Silenced: The Radio Murders, with Oz Woloshyn

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

When a string of brutal murders rocked the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, Florida, the community and authorities grew increasingly certain the deaths were ordered from forces across the sea -- all the way back in Haiti. But why? Who was responsible? Could the conspiracy ever be unraveled, with the criminals brought to justice? In today's conversation, the guys sit down with returning guest Oz Woloshyn to learn more about Silenced: The Radio Murders, his newest podcast with iHeartMedia and Kaleidoscope.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Was Benjamin Franklin a serial killer?

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Today Benjamin Franklin is known as one of the founding fathers of the US, and there’s no doubt that he played a tremendously influential role in the creation of the country. But Franklin, known then and now as a bit of an eccentric. But what about his darker side?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: AI Debt Collectors, a Toothpaste Heist, and a Mysterious Boat Accident

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:30:16 +0000

Canadian police stop a bizarre toothpaste heist. Companies aim to automate debt collection with AI. In Italy, a mysterious boat accident leaves multiple intelligence agents dead. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Ernest Withers: Civil Rights Hero, FBI Spy

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

55 years ago, the American Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His legacy lives on in recorded speeches, memorials across the country, photographs by legendary photojournalist Ernest C. Withers and more. Withers remains a hero in his hometown of Memphis, and his career is inextricably intertwined with the Civil Rights era. However, there may be much more to the story of Withers than the public originally believed. Join the guys as they sit down with veteran investigative journalist Marc Perrusquia to learn about his explosive discoveries regarding Withers, revelations that would take him all the way to Federal Court in his quest to finally answer the question: Was Ernest Withers a mole for the FBI?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Human Expansion, Tipping in America, and Shoutouts

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Disco Funk inspires a strange series of thought experiments. Amdroid writes in on the controversy surrounding tipping. An author gives the gang a special shoutout in their upcoming book. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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A Conversation with Johnny Drinks

Wed, 31 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The guys sit down with special guest John Rondi, Sr., the co-creator of the legendary Johnny Drinks, for a wide-ranging conversation about everything from the troubling history of prohibition to JFK and more.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: A Digital Cult? The Strange Story of Bentinho Massaro

Tue, 30 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

One person's cult is another person's inarguable truth, and over millenia many spiritual or cultural belief systems have been called cults. Typically organizations called cults have a few commonal traits, one of the chief of which is isolation. So can cults continue to exist in the digital age, where the average smartphone user is only a few clicks away from learning almost anything they desire? What do these movements look like in the era of instantaneous communication? Join the guys as they delve into the strange concept of digital cults.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: The Rise of Blood Boys, A Narcocorrido Ban, and a Jail Break Foiled

Mon, 29 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Tech mogul Bryan Johnson causes a stir when it's revealed he uses his own son as a 'blood boy' to stave off the effects of aging. Cancun authorities ban narcocorrido performances. Elderly businessman John Manchec attempts an elaborate escape from jail, fleeing from the US to France. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Yes, the Government Can Take Your Stuff

Fri, 26 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

There's an active series of conspiracies taking place every single year in the United States -- through the practice of eminent domain, local governments can force private property owners to sell their stuff for "the greater good." It gets worse -- through the use of civil asset forfeiture, law enforcement can also confiscate all sorts of assets, without once arresting you, or charging you with a crime.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Three-Parent Babies, Vancouver Drugs, and Hotel Secrets

Thu, 25 May 2023 15:26:06 +0000

Kelly discusses the strange state of drugs and drug policy in Vancouver. Samurai poses fascinating questions about mitochondrial DNA and three-parent babies. Ancient Astronaut Chick dives behind the scenes of hotels. All this and more in this week’s listener mail.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Setagaya Family Murders

Wed, 24 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In December of 2000, an unknown assailant brutally murdered the Miyazawa family as they slept in their home, preparing to celebrate the new year. This horrific crime only seems to grow more mysterious -- the killer stayed in the home after the murders, eating food, leaving evidence, and using the computer. Police have the killer's personal possessions. They have his DNA. And, more than two decades later, they have yet to find this murderer.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Are exorcisms on the rise?

Tue, 23 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays, most people in the West associate exorcism with horror movies instead of real-life terror. However, people around the world still feel that they have been possessed, and experts from various faiths across the planet still conduct exorcisms in the modern day. Join the guys as they delve into the story of the Catholic organization founded to fight possession: The International Association of Exorcists.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: The Kenyan Death Cult. A Mormon Whistleblower and a Staged Plane Crash

Mon, 22 May 2023 15:29:30 +0000

A whistleblower alleges the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hides billions of dollars. A horrifying, continuing investigation in Kenya reveals hundred of people have died at the orders of a now-arrested cult leader; and no one's sure what other crimes may be uncovered. A man attempts to purposely wreck a plane for clout. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe

Fri, 19 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential figures in all of American literature -- and his death is just as mysterious as his stories. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Edgar Allan Poe.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: The Great Coin Shortage, A Sobering Plea, and More

Thu, 18 May 2023 15:04:57 +0000

Could someone have purposely manufactured the great coin shortage during the pandemic? Anon calls in with a sobering plea. A fellow Conspiracy Realist proposes a possible explanation for the woman experiencing orgasms at the symphony. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Disappearance of Frederick Valentich

Wed, 17 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In 1978, a young pilot named Frederick Valentich disappeared somewhere off the coast of Australia. His last recorded message to authorities -- "it's not an aircraft" -- prompted decades of speculation from UFOlogists, skeptics, and law enforcement alike. As we record tonight, his body has yet to be found.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Modern Vampire: Longer Life Through Younger Blood

Tue, 16 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

We’ve heard the legends of vampires for thousands of years, and while the vast majority of modern humans relegate the stories to the domain of myth and folklore, more and more experts are wondering if technology will allow us to create something very much like the monsters of myth. Could transfusing blood from the young rejuvenate the bodies of the old? What ethical consequences could we encounter? How far has the research already gone?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: The Nashville Toe Sucker, the Canadian Drug Pop-up, and the Rise of Three-Parent Kids

Mon, 15 May 2023 15:05:50 +0000

A Nashville hotel employee is arrested on charges of assaulting a guest's toes. A Canadian man attempts to start a pop-up selling all manner of illegal drugs. In an historic first for the United Kingdom, scientists create a child with DNA from not two, but THREE separate parents.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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A Bridge in Scotland Kills Dogs

Fri, 12 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For decades, residents of Dumbarton, Scotland have been convinced something's deeply wrong with the Overtoun Bridge. According to local lore, something about this bridge causes dogs to take their own lives. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel investigate.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Spy Balloons Have a "Season," A Temporal Tizzy, and What Happens When Banks Fail

Thu, 11 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Flummoxed calls in to report a baffling temporal tizzy. A fellow Conspiracy Realist asks what happens when banks fail. Balloon Boy writes in with an astonishing revelation about high-altitude science and spy balloons: it turns out they have a season, and that season is coming this summer. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Wrongful Conviction, with Jason Flom

Wed, 10 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays virtually everyone can agree the US Justice system has profound, serious issues -- the problem is people just don't agree on how to address them. In this special interview, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with Jason Flom, the creator and host of Wrongful Conviction, to learn more about tragic and terrifying cases of the legal system gone awry. People imprisoned for decades, only to later be found innocent. People convicted of crimes they were physically incapable of committing. The list goes on. Perhaps most importantly, Jason shares his insight on what we as individuals can do to help drive positive change.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: How The US Secretly Tracked UFOs with Jeremy Corbell

Tue, 09 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In 2018, the New York Times broke a story that baffled most ordinary readers -- until about 2012, the Pentagon had run a multi-million dollar, secretive program to collect numerous reports of unexplained aerial phenomena and unidentified flying objects. So what did the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program actually find? Join the guys as they interview returning guest and filmmaker Jeremy Corbell for a peek behind the curtain into the Pentagon's search for UFOs.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: White House Meets on AI Concerns, Woman Orgasms During Orchestra Performance -- and It's a Bad Time to be a Spy

Mon, 08 May 2023 15:02:29 +0000

The White House holds a meeting with tech luminaries to discuss concerns about the potential of "AI." A concertgoer apparently experienced an orgasm during an orchestral performance. Around the world, the old rules of tradecraft are thrown out the window as global tension ratchets up. The most recent person arrested? None other than Pras, Earth's third-favorite Fugee. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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La Llorona is Older Than You Think

Fri, 05 May 2023 18:03:53 +0000

It's a common campfire tale -- a mysterious, ghostly entity roams the land, lamenting the loss of her children... and perhaps kidnapping living children to replace her own. In today's episode, Ben and Matt dive deep into the evolution of La Llorona, exploring the nature of folklore, narrative evolution, and story as technology.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Cryptocurrency Conspiracies, Part II

Thu, 04 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In the first part of this two-episode series, the guys interviewed tech expert Jonathan Strickland on the mechanics of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. In this episode, Jonathan returns to field some of the weirdest, funniest and most disturbing conspiracy theories orbiting the world of digital currency.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Michael Talks to Errbody, with Michael Colyar

Wed, 03 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What's the secret to success in entertainment? What really happens backstage in the world of show biz? In today's episode, the guys welcome legendary comedian, author and podcaster Michael Colyar to dive deep into the world of entertainment conspiracies, aliens, psychic powers and more.

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CLASSIC: Cryptocurrency Conspiracies, Part I

Tue, 02 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

You've heard of bitcoin before. It's the entirely digital, decentralized currency that supporters tout as the next step in financial evolution -- and critics call a massive scam. But what exactly are cryptocurrencies? How do they work, and why do some people believe they're as much a tool for conspiracy and crime as a tool for trade? In part 1 of this series, the gang invites returning guest Jonathan Strickland to explain the nuts and bolts of bitcoin, along with the advantages and flaws of the system.

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CLASSIC: Is someone using sonic weapons in Cuba?

Mon, 01 May 2023 15:00:00 +0000

A few years back, employees at the US Embassy in Cuba reported a strange and disquieting phenomenon. They complained of vertigo, nausea, hearing loss and more accompanied by a strange hum and whine that followed them into their homes. The State Department refused to comment on the cause of these symptoms even as they shipped employees back home to the States. However, some anonymous government officials stated that the employees fell victim to an unorthodox, top-secret, sound-based weapon. Could it be true? You can turn back now, or learn The Stuff They Don't Want You To Know.

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The Strange Case of Benjaman Kyle

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Virtually everyone's experienced a slip in memory -- in most cases, the slips are thankfully short-lived. But what happens when your own brain conspires against you... what happens when you permanently forget nearly every detail of your own identity? This was the case of a man who took the name Benjaman Kyle, who for years was one of the mysterious individuals known as the "living unidentified."

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Listener Mail: Smurfs and CERN, A Possible Cult in LA, and Solving Wartime UFOs

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Mortgage Man prompts an exploration of alchemy, smurfs and CERN. Summer Frog hips the gang to a controversial commune initiative in Los Angeles. Kevin writes in with a theory on obscure technology that may finally explain bizarre UFO sightings from Foo Fighters to the Korean War. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Houston, Texas Lovers' Lane Murders

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:45:00 +0000

On August 22nd, 1990, Cheryl Henry and Garland Atkinson set out for a night on the town. By the next morning, they had disappeared. A few hours later, police located both their abandoned car and their bodies, brutalized and discarded near the local lovers' lane. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the still-unsolved double homicide -- and whether this crime may one be solved.

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CLASSIC: Hollywood’s Abuse Epidemic

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For decades people knew that sexual abuse occurred in Tinseltown. It was an open, dirty secret just behind the curtain of the most popular films, tv and stage shows in the country. And the victims of abuse rarely spoke out -- when they did, they risked the ruination of their careers (or worse). In 2017 this began to change. World famous producer Harvey Weinstein was outed as a serial sexual and physical abuser, prompting his exile from his film company and encouraging numerous other victims of abuse to speak out. As the world wrestles with these revelations, more and more questions surface: Who knew what, and when? How far does this system go? Learn more in this classic episode.

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Strange News: Baby Powder and Voting Lawsuits; Deputies Plan Murders; US Feds Arrest Leaders of 'Secret Chinese Police Stations'

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:20:01 +0000

This week, tons of people are getting sued -- everything from Fox News to baby powder -- further, law enforcement in Oklahoma got caught planning the murder of a journalist. The FBI also followed up on long-running speculation about China running secret police stations abroad, arresting two US nationals in Manhattan. All this and more as Ben and Matt dive into this week's Strange News segment.

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Listener Mail: The Psychedelic Devil's Bread, Invasive Species and Q Hydrogen

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:16:36 +0000

Ishmael writies in about Q Hydrogen, a company that claims to have discovered a revolutionary new source of power. Batboy raises concerns about invasive species in Brooklyn. Rebel Devl sends Ben a strange tale of the Devil's Bread on a small Italian island, which sent the locals tripping for decades. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Astroturf and Cancer

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

At first, it sounded too good to be true: grass that never died, never wilted, and never gave way to weeds. Major league baseball hailed it as one of the greatest innovations in the world of professional sports. As thousands and thousands of 'astroturf' fields sprouted up across the US and Canada -- and then spread to playgrounds -- adults and children alike enjoyed seas of endless, verdant green. Until, that is, the reports came in. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel slide headlong into the home base of a troubling conspiracy decades in the making: Does artificial turf give you cancer?

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UFOs in the Korean War

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

As chaos reigned across the Korean peninsula from 1950 to 1953 in a war that has still not officially ended, one group of US soldiers found themselves overwhelmed by an object they couldn't identify. A sphere -- apparently metallic -- capable of changing color and moving at unimaginable angles. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the story of a UFO that may have led to the creation of Project Blue Book.

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CLASSIC: Should we be conCERNed?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Sure, we worked way too hard for that pun in the title, but it's a serious question: CERN, or the European Organization for Nuclear Research is one of the world's largest, most prominent centres for scientific research. The experts at CERN use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the fundamental building blocks of matter, and over the years it's become the subject of numerous rumors, allegations, concerns and conspiracy theories. Join the guys as they delve into the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding CERN and the Large Hadron Collider.

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Strange News: Furbies Reveal Plan For World Domination, Pentagon Leaks Rock Uncle Sam, and More Details on Ye's Donda Academy

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 16:07:45 +0000

When University of Vermont student Jessica Card modified a Furby to use ChatGPT, it eventually informed her of plans to take over civilization. The US is rocked by a massive intelligence leak. More news emerges about Ye's controversial Donda Academy. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

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What is the RESTRICT Act? TikTok and Beyond

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Even if you're not a fan of social media, you've probably heard of TikTok. In recent months, countries around the planet have enacted bans on this app, due to security concers. As we record, the US is also considered a nationwide ban on TikTok -- but, according to critics, there may be another conspiracy at play. In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore the allegations and rumors surrounding the RESTRICT Act... and what this might mean for the future of online freedom.

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CLASSIC: Is there really a lost civilization in the Grand Canyon?

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The Grand Canyon is a breath-taking natural formation, and every year more than 4 million people visit. Despite its popularity, areas of the canyon remain dangerously remote, and it’s no secret that numerous people have disappeared in or around the canyon over the years. But what if there was more to the story than missing couples and individuals? Is it possible that an entire civilization went missing in the canyon?

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Conspiracy, Congress and Crime: The ABSCAM Story

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

How do we ensure rulers of a country obey the laws they create? Not too long ago, the FBI ran against this question during a sting called ABSCAM. While they originally planned to bust art scams, the project grew bigger and bigger -- and, eventually, the FBI conducted sting operations on Congress. And Congress, apparently, conspired to make sure this would never happen again.

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CLASSIC: What exactly are "Ghost Lights"?

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For centuries people in countries across the planet have reported seeing mysterious, glowing lights that appear to move of their own volition through the darkness. Whether you call them Ghost Lights, Spook Lights, Will o' the Wisps or any other number of names, chances are there's a local version of this legend somewhere in your region. So what exactly are these things?

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Strange News: A Death in St. Petersburg, International Sperm Donor Sued for Incest, US Actor Works for Russia

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:19:44 +0000

Influencer Vladlen Tatarsky dies in an explosion. A serial sperm donor is sued for actively misleading clients across countries. Longtime US-based actor Steven Seagal cosigns Russian military training. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

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How Ouija Boards Work

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Since the dawn of civilization -- and likely before -- human beings have searched for a way to commune with the dead. While the methods vary across time and cultures, the goal is always the same. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the story of the (in)famous Ouija Board, a mass-produced device that, some say, allows users to communicate with unseen entities. So: What's going on here?

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Listener Mail: The Sinister Truth Behind the TikTok Ban, Juggalos, EMTs, and Medically-assisted Suicide in Canada

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Tone prompts a terrifying warning about the RESTRICT Act, which is being soid to the American public under false pretenses. Mohawk Mick talks about the ridiculous decision to classify Juggalos as a gang. Medic Grandma shares insider info about life as an EMT. Old Sharkjumper replies to an earlier conversation about medically-assisted suicide in Canada. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The COVID Lab Leak

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

It seems strange to remember that Covid-19 swept the world years ago -- and, perhaps, stranger still to realize how many questions remain about the origin of the pandemic. Recently, the head of the FBI dropped a bombshell when he went on record stating something that was, once upon a time, dismissed as a conspiracy theory: Covid-19, he claims, most likely came from a lab. So, what's going on? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: The Strange World of Inexplicable Skeletons

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What’s going on with all these stories about strange skeletons? From legends of the crystal skull to allegations of ancient extraterrestrial remains and giants, it seems the world is chock-full of mysterious, semi-humanoid remains. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they delve into some of the strangest cases, attempting to separate fact from fiction … and cover stories from coverups.

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Strange News: Astrotrurf is Potentially Deadly, the Nashville School Shooting, and Columbian Police vs. the Occult

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Artificial turf at Veterans Stadium has been potentially linked to the cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players. In the wake of the Nashville school shooting, some public figures are using the tragedy as a way to bolster anti-trans talking points. Over in Colombia, law enforcement confirms they've used exorcism and prayer for decades as a way to combat the occult practices of certain cartels.

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Illumination Global Unlimited

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:04:18 +0000

The time has come. After narrowly surviving some misadventures on the road, Ben, Matt and Noel return with a new-found appreciation of their Original Sponsor, Illumination Global Unlimited. In their first ever clip show, the guys look back on some of the many astonishing, completely real and not at all sinister products and services provided by the good [REDACTED] at Illumination Global Unlimited. Turn on the light.

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CLASSIC: Biomedical Big Brother

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

In the near future, your doctor may begin prescribing "smart pills" -- medicines that remain in contact with your hospital, pharmacy or doctor's office and tell your health care providers whether you're sticking to the treatment schedule, along with other medical information. To the supporters of smart pills, this is a life-saving breakthrough. To critics, however, the potential threats of this technology outweigh the benefits. Are smart pills a new way to keep patients healthy longer, or another step in the construction of a biomedical Big Brother?

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CLASSIC: STDWYTK Presents: See You Next Time

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:44:10 +0000

In 1933, a composer named Rezső Seress created one of the world's most infamous tunes -- a melancholy, mysterious piece known as "Gloomy Sunday." Over the following decades, this song became notorious for the sinister effects it had on anyone who listened to the song in full. Join the guys for a special end-of-the-year episode as they explore the story of the original recording -- where it came from, who wrote it, and, most disturbingly, why.

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CLASSIC: Are there any real underwater military bases?

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

We've all seen the space-age secret bases in science fiction and blockbuster films, but could a government or corporation really build a secret, permanent deep-sea base? Where would they do it? Why? Join the guys as they dive into (get it?) the murky world of militaries beneath the waves.

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CLASSIC: What happened to Commander Crabb?

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:59:00 +0000

Today's episode comes from the heart of the Cold War -- when Lionel 'Buster' Crabb disappeared on a mysterious spying mission, his relatives and colleagues refused to believe the official story. Over time, this story changed. As investigators attempted to separate fact from fiction, they found themselves stonewalled, tangled within a web of rumor, speculation and conspiracy. So what really happened to Commander Crabb?

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High Strange, with Payne Lindsey

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:27:26 +0000

Why did the US government suddenly admit it cannot identify all the strange stuff up there in the sky? It's a fascinating, disturbing question... and one that's haunted Payne Lindsey for years. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with Payne to learn more about his newest project: High Strange -- a balanced, humanistic approach to one of the enduring mysteries of the modern world.

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CLASSIC: Secrets revealed? JFK in 2017

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For decades after the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, hundreds of thousands of Americans -- and millions of people across the planet -- have had lingering, troubling problems with the US government’s official narrative of the tragedy. Now, recently declassified documents may shed light on the story, either confirming or contradicting the official tale of Kennedy’s death. Or will they?

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Should We Reverse Aging?

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:14:57 +0000

As constant breakthroughs in aging science make the news and some of the world's wealthiest individuals pour millions in anti-aging start-ups, it seems increasingly likely that humans in the near future may be able to greatly slow -- or even reverse -- the process of aging. In an episode replete with multiple strange conspiracies, Ben, Matt and Noel ask what would happen. Sure, it may be possible to reverse aging, but would it actually be good for humanity?

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CLASSIC: The Sordid, Secret World of Televangelists and Megachurches

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What if believing in success became the same thing as succeeding? Religious figures around the world encourage their followers to equate financial donations with future material gains. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the heart of Prosperity Theology to find the facts, fiction, and the stuff Prosperian Theologists don't want you to know.

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Strange News: The SVB Bank Collapse, Tennessee's Lt. Governor, and Poison in the Toilet Paper

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank -- as well as other banking institutions -- prompts intense concern about the future. The current Lt. Governor of Tennessee makes embarrassing comments online. A new study finds carcinogenic PFAS, or forever chemicals, are in every major brand of toilet paper. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Witness Protection: Facts and Fiction

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For some people, Witness Protection sounds like a dream come true: the government whisks you away, allowing you to start a new life completely separate from your past. But, as it turns out, there's more to this conspiracy than you might imagine. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the ins and outs of Witness Protection.

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Listener Mail: Don't Trust Doorbells, SL-1 Nuclear Incident and a Frightening Conversation with Your Favorite Bot

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Brock notes a fascinating aspect of cloud-connected doorbells. Radical Moderate asks for more information about the SL-1 nuclear incident. Dr. Mantis Toboggan plays a dangerous game with ChatGPT -- all this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Charles F. McGonigal: FBI

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Today's tale is the stuff of award-winning fiction and counterintelligence nightmares: What would you do if you learned one of the nation's top intelligence professionals had joined the other side? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the strange, disturbing case of Charles F. McGonigal.

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CLASSIC: Off-World Implants with Jeremy Corbell

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

For decades people around the globe have insisted that they were abducted and, via implants, tagged like animals. Join the guys as they interview documentarian Jeremy Corbell about his experience diving into the strange world of alleged abduction and implants in his new film, Patient Seventeen.

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Strange News: Keanu Fights Fungi, Mr. Beast vs. Walmart, and Russia's Shadow Oil Fleet

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

German researchers name a groundbreaking discovery after the legendary Keanu Reeves. YouTuber MrBeast sets his fans upon Walmart. Across the planet, Russia uses a "shadow fleet" of tankers to bypass sanctions -- no one's publicly saying who runs these groups... only that the fleet appears to be growing. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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East Palestine and Beyond

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Earlier this February a train carrying dangerous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. In today's episode, the guys explore what happened, why, and what it means for the future.

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Listener Mail: Super Pig News From the Frontlines, Subatomic Time Travelers, and Horror Movie Recommendations

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 16:02:31 +0000

Hunter writes in with some harrowing first-hand experience fighting Super Pigs. An email inspires a deeper exploration of time traveling, subatomic particles. Ben, Matt and Noel discuss horror films. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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No One Dies At Disney

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Disney parks receive millions of visitors per year, seeking fun, adventure, and magic... but what happens when something goes wrong? What's the deal with all the rumors that "no one dies at Disney?" In celebration of International Women's Day, guest hosts "Codename: Doc Holliday" and Lauren Vogelbaum take over to explore a strangest, pervasive conspiracy theory about one of the largest entertainment companies on the planet.

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CLASSIC: Did a cult try to run South Korea?

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

In 2017 South Korean President Park Guen-hye was impeached and ousted from power as a result of a wide-reaching corruption scandal touching everything from big business to religion. In the aftermath, the world’s been left asking: What exactly happened? Was this another tragic case of nepotism and bribery, or … something more? Was South Korea’s President the victim of a cult?

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Strange News: Mexican President Sees an 'Elf,' US Marshalls Hacked, Update on Fighting Asteroids

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The US Marshalls got hacked. Mexican President Obrador believes in cryptids -- and tweets about it. NASA confirms success in the earlier DART attempt to knock asteroids off course. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Cannibals and Conspiracy: What Happened to Michael Rockefeller, Part Two

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Deep in remote forests half a world away from the gilded halls of New York, Michael Rockefeller seems determined to learn as much as he can about one tribal community in particular. After his disappearance and a country-wide search, the theories begin: Did Rockefeller die? Was he murdered, then eaten? And, the strangest of all: Could he be alive today?

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Listener Mail: FEMA and Conspiracy, Eggs, and the US Wants Prisoners to Sell Organs

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

2FAB describes government preparation exercises for disasters in New Orleans. Barefootcowgirl and others break down the great Eggspiracy. Multiple folks reach out to Ben, asking: Should prisoners be allowed -- or mandated? -- to sell their organs in exchange for a reduced sentence? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Cannibals and Conspiracy: What Happened to Michael Rockefeller, Part One

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Michael Rockefeller was -- or is -- a descendant of one of the most powerful families in the United States. In 1961, he disappeared in a rural part of modern-day Indonesia. Decades later, the mystery remains: What happened to Michael Rockefeller? Tune in for part one of this two-part series.

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CLASSIC: What is the Dragon's Triangle?

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

You've probably heard of the infamous (and controversial) Bermuda Triangle, that alleged site of numerous disappearing aircraft and oceangoing vessels... but have you heard of the Dragon's Triangle, its counterpart in the Pacific Ocean? Join the guys as they dive headfirst into the conspiratorial lore surrounding vile vortices, as well as the fact -- and fiction -- surrounding the so-called Devil's Sea.

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Strange News: Australia's "Hive of Spies," Fox News Gets Sued, and the Rise of SUPER PIGS

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:00:18 +0000

Australia confirms it's busted multiple spies, apparently all working for the same country. Fox News faces a defamation lawsuit that may pose a serious threat to the network. Along the US-Canadian border, experts are warning folks to be on the lookout for a new invasive species: a crossbred mix of pig that's smarter, more aggressive, highly resistant to injury -- and wreaking havoc everywhere it goes. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

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Let's Start a Coup! Ep 1 – A Basket Full of Fascists

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 09:07:00 +0000

Nowadays, most people can agree that fascism is, well, a bad thing. But back in the 1930s, life absolutely sucked for most Americans, and fascism still had a sort of new car smell. Wall Street bankers were convinced they could take their country back from the clutches of ‘class traitors’ like Roosevelt, sink the New Deal and put the United States on a better – meaning more profitable – path.

They had the money. They had an army. Now all they needed was a leader.

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CLASSIC: Titanic Conspiracies

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The 1912 sinking of the Titanic left an indelible mark on Western culture, so it's no surprise that more than a decade later revisionists and fringe theorists continue to claim there's something more to the tragic story. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they take a closer look at the true story of the Titanic.

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CLASSIC: The Gulen Movement

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

What do private schools and revolution have in common? The answer may surprise you. Join the guys as they bring on their intern Sam Teegardin and for a firsthand look at an strange and insidious conspiracy reaching from the Eastern US seaboard and journeying through locations across the world to fundamentally rock the political foundations of the Turkish state.

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The Strange Story of Adam's Calendar

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:15:00 +0000

Is an out-of-the-way ruin in South Africa the oldest human structure on the planet? Or did something other than humans build it? These are the rumors surrounding a place sometimes called Adam's Calendar -- but how do the rumors compare to the facts? Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the story of strange historical ruins.

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CLASSIC: Can You Really Delete Your Internet History?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Even without a Facebook profile, the average internet or smartphone user leaves a massive trail of digital breadcrumbs, from publicly available records to purchasing history, forum posts and GPS data -- so what happens when you try to delete this info? Join the guys as they collaborate with Part-Time Genius to explore the ins and outs of your online identity, as well as what you can -- or cannot -- actually delete from the internet.

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Strange News: Balloons, UFOs and Other Explosive Distractions

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The United States government propagandizes missions to shoot unidentified objects from the sky, while a small town in Ohio goes against rail tycoons in hopes of surviving an ecological catastrophe. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The 2022 Twitter Files

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

When tech billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter, he also stated he would bring more transparency to the inner workings of the social platform. Partnering with several veteran investigative journalists, Musk shared copious internal documents, requesting only that the journalists publish their findings on Twitter first. The result came to be known as the 2022 Twitter Files. To some, this work proves several long-running conspiracy theories. To others, it seems little more than overblown hype. So what's the scoop? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Balloons or Baloney? Another Government Worker and Politics as Religion

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

A Conspiracy Realist prompts some serious questions about all the balloons making the news these days. Bobo asks whether politics have become a kind of religion. Another Government Worker shares their first hand experience dealing with conspiratorial family members. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Do cops have their own gangs?

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

For all official purposes, criminal gangs and law enforcement agencies are natural enemies -- yet for decades, communities across the United States have argued a conspiracy is afoot: the same people paid to combat gangs have, themselves, become the monsters they claim to pursue. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into a disturbing, dangerous question: What happens when cops have gangs of their own?

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CLASSIC: Real-life Superpowers

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:45:00 +0000

Could any real human beings have genuine superpowers? Join the guys as they take a closer look at extraordinary beings across the planet -- and, most importantly, ask who may be attempting to manufacture and control these abilities.

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Strange News: FBI Agent Caught Working For Oligarch, Man Sues Due To 'Friend Zone,' Secret Russian Satellite is Disintegrating -- and No One Knows Why

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:00:44 +0000

New York's former top FBI counterintelligence agent, Charles F. McGonigal, has been indicted for shady dealings with oligarchs. A man in Singapore attempts, for the second time, to sue a woman for rejecting his romantic advances. As mass media keeps people focused on spy balloons, the top-secret Kosmos 2499 Russian satellite appears to disintegrate in orbit -- no one knows what it was doing up there, or why it began to break up. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Mysterious Death of Dag Hammarskjöld

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Most folks these days have never heard of Dag Hammarskjöld, but in his time he was a global mover and shaker. As the son of the Swedish Prime Minister, he grew up in halls of power, teaching at a prestigious university, running a bank and, eventually, heading the newly-formed United Nations. Yet his stellar career was cut short by a tragic plane crash while on a secret mission to stop a war. And, more than 60 years later, Ben, Matt and Noel are increasingly certain he was murdered. Was this death an unfortunate plane crash -- or a genuine assassination? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: "Adam's Calendar," Glitter in Tasers, and the Grim Allegations of Coerced Death in Canada

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Jingle calls, prompting a conversation about glitter and taggants in tasers. Ghost writes in with a deeply disturbing story of MAID -- Medically Assisted In Death -- programs in Canada. Nial hips the gang to the strange, allegedly Neolithic site sometimes called "Adam's Calendar." Agent Winter writes a joke so terrible that we had to put it on air. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Egg-spiracy

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

For decades, the humble egg was seen as a reliably inexpensive, versatile source of nutrition. While the price might spike occasionally, it would inevitably return to normalcy. Until, that is, quite recently. Across various social media platforms, local chicken owners are reporting that not only have eggs been rising in price -- but something in the feed is preventing their own chickens from laying eggs. Is there a conspiracy afoot? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: Inside America's Zone of Death

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000

It sounds like pure fiction: A tiny part of the United States, tucked away in Yellowstone, where you can commit any crime you like and never go to trial. So what is this so-called Zone of Death, exactly? How does it work? Perhaps most importantly -- could you really get away with... anything?

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Strange News: Bacteria in Eyedrops, a Tesla Road Rager, and "Bring Back the Dodo!"

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:20:35 +0000

The bioscience company working to de-extinct the Mammoth and the Tasmanian Tiger (if it's actually gone) sets its sights on a new goal: resurrecting the Dodo. TikTok outpaces the LAPD in capturing a Tesla road rager. The CDC announces a disturbing warning about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in eyedrops. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Oops, All Voicemail

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 19:45:00 +0000

Ben has disappeared, giving Matt and Noel the perfect chance to catch up on a slew of voicemails in this special listener mail segment. More Broccoli calls in to ask about what makes our taste change -- do kids detect things adults simply can't? A Conspiracy Realist with experience in fire suppression weighs in on the mysterious NYPD Warehouse Fire. A call asks about the alleged underwater pyramids of of the Azores. Tune in for all this and more.

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Listener Mail: Stuff the Military Doesn't Want You To Know, Haunted Planes, "AI" and Art

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 17:35:42 +0000

M writes in with some (frankly disturbing) stuff the military doesn't want you to know. Snag Daddy shares a strange tale about haunted planes from over in the Pacific. Kevyn prompts a conversation about the nature of style -- can it be copyrighted? All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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How To Be A Skeptic, Part Two: Friends and Family

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:30:00 +0000

We've all been there - you're at a gathering of friends or family, when someone starts to go off the rails, expounding a strange series of unfounded conspiracies (or worse). How do you connect with this person, and help guide them away from the cognitive brink toward the world of critical thought? In the second part of this two-series, the guys explore the tricky process of navigating Conspiracy Realism without judgement or condescension.

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CLASSIC: It's Our Lucky Day, With Archer's Dr. Krieger

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Join the guys as they hang out with Lucky Yates, the prolific actor and voice of Dr. Krieger of FX's Archer, to explore everything from the frightening future of biotechnology to the (alleged) resurrection of the dodo and more.

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Strange News: Russia Triggers Doomsday Clock, Taylor Swift and Ticketmaster, Gene Therapy will Amaze and Terrify

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 16:00:24 +0000

NATO countries pledge tanks to Ukraine, triggering the Doomsday Clock. Ticketmaster is back in the spotlight, and Congress may intervene on behalf of Taylor Swift fans? Stunning breakthroughs in gene therapy pose a series of amazing -- and potentially horrific -- possibilities. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Who Killed Marilyn Monroe?

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Even if you've never seen her films or know her by name, you will almost certainly recognize Marilyn Monroe. This famous Hollywood icon rose to global fame as a model, actress, and socialite -- only to die, officially from an overdose, at the young age of 36. And ever since that day, people around the world have spent decades asking whether there's something more to the official story: Who killed Marilyn Monroe?

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Listener Mail: Mental Health, Synesthesia, Sonic Booms and Terrible Puns

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Conspiracy Realist Mike describes his first hand experience working in the mental health field in the 1990s. A letter about synesthesia prompts a discussion on the nature of experience -- and whether this particular sensory phenomenon can be taught. Toad reaches out to relay some insider info explaining anomalous sonic booms -- and and a (completely unrelated) listener writes in with some distressing observations about farts. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Is AI coming for you?

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

With all the news about art programs like Midjourney, chat applications like ChatGPT and so on, it's no wonder more and more people are concerned 'AI' -- however defined, may put their jobs in danger. But how true is that? Is 'AI' coming for you? Tune in to learn more in the first part of this ongoing series.

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CLASSIC: STDWYTK Presents: How May I Help You?

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

If you had a chance to save a loved one, would you take it? How far would you go? It's the gang's collective birthday this month, so as a way of saying thanks to you Conspiracy Realists around the world (and beyond), the guys have teamed up with their extended conspiracy family to present a unique tale of morality, of good and evil, and... fast food.

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Strange News: "Tax the Rich," say the Rich; Getty Sues AI Companies; Serial Killer Wants to Join Russian Military

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

A letter from the self-described 'ultra rich' argues the rich must be taxed to prevent catastrophic inequality. Getty images files a legal complaint on companies making AI-assisted image software. In an interview on state-funded news, 58-year-old serial killer Mikhail Popkov volunteers to join the Russian military. All this and more on today's Strange News.

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Could airplanes be haunted?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

More than a century since the Wright brothers made history at Kitty Hawk, aircraft still seem like a stunning, new -- and potentially terrifying -- invention. It's no wonder that flight, like so many other forms of transit, has become embedded in the the human psyche. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel delve deep into stories of 'haunted' aircraft.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Iran, Augmented Reality, the Disappearance of Max Loughan, Birth Rates

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 04:58:11 +0000

Ben follows up on augmented reality and the ongoing communications from protestors in Iran. A caller asks for information about the alleged disappearance of the young inventor Max Loughan. A listener writes in to provide a Peruvian perspective on birthrates in agrarian economies. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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How To Be A Skeptic

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

There's a lot of information out there these days -- and, unfortunately, a lot of it isn't true. But how can we learn to discern fact from fiction? In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the basis of critical thought and skepticism, and how your own brain can conspire against you in your search for the truth.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Top-secret Bunkers with Garrett Graff

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

The rumors are true -- the US government has multiple, highly-fortified shelters and compounds dotting the American landscape, staffed and fully prepared to protect the President and other federal or state officials from widespread disease, natural disasters, nuclear war and more. But how do these things get built? Where are they and -- perhaps most importantly -- what happens to everyone else when the bombs hit? Join the guys as they interview Garrett M. Graff, the author of "Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself — While the Rest of Us Die."

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Utah is Sick of Mystery Electronics, Brazil and Coups, and Fungal Infections

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

New research indicates multiple obscure fungal infections are spreading much further than originally thought. On the heels of the attempted coup in Brazil, former president Jair Bolsonaro remains in the United States. Over in Utah, hapless park officials ask people to stop planting strange electronic rigs in mountains near Salt Lake City (spoiler from Ben: I'm pretty sure this is related to crypto). All this and more in this week's Strange News.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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What is the Line of Actual Control?

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

It's a story you might not have heard much about in the global west. While the world has eyes on the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, another international border may be on the brink of exploding into open war. For decades the nuclear-capable nations of China and India have quietly been waging a dispute high in the Himalayas -- a conflict fought with sticks, stones and hand-to-hand combat to determine a border. Problem is, neither side ever agreed to a border in the first place. Instead, they call it the "Line of Actual Control." Tune in to learn more.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Utsuro Bune: Ancient Japanese UFOs?

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

It's a tale that dates back centuries -- a bizarre, spherical ship washes ashore in Japan, containing a single passenger. Visibly female and humanoid, but clothed in strange garments, with unusual hair and skin. Fast forward to the modern day -- experts still aren't sure what exactly happened. What was Utsuro Bune? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they delve into the mystery.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Overpopulation Conspiracy

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Humanity has always had one biological mission: to grow and expand its population. And, since the days of antiquity, great thinkers have been terrified by the idea that, one day, there will simply be too many people on the planet. In today's episode, Ben and Noel explore the numerous concerns about overpopulation, separating fact from fiction as they delve into one of the most disturbing genres of conspiracy: What if the most powerful people in the world are conspiring to murder the less fortunate, all in the name of the Greater Good?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Missing 411 with David Paulides

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Each year, thousands of people visit national parks across the US. And, tragically, some of them don't return. Join the guys as they interview David Paulides, the prolific author of the Missing 411 series, to learn more about his work and research into these disappearances.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Cremation Scams, Infrastructure Terrorism, Japan Begs People To Move

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

It's 2023 -- and more shady companies are selling body parts on the sly. Infrastructure attacks continue across the United States, prompting questions about a larger pattern at play. Canada is banning foreign homebuyers, and Japan is begging people to move out of Tokyo. Join Ben and Matt for all this and more in this week's Strange News.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Who killed the Shermans? Part Two: Suspects and Questions

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

As the investigation into the brutal death of the Shermans dragged on, seemingly with no solid leads, the public and members of the Sherman family grew increasingly disturbed. Both the authorities and the family searched desperately for clues -- and the court of opinion began drawing conclusions of its own. Could a business rival of Barry Sherman's have ordered a hit? Could a foreign government be involved? What should we make of the accusations levied against Barry Sherman's own son? Tune in to learn more in part two of this two-part series.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What about the other pyramids?

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

For many people, the word "pyramid" instantly conjures up images of ancient Egypt -- of pharaohs and mummies, treasure and (maybe) curses. But while the pyramids of Egypt may be the most well-known, they are far from the only example of these structures. Join the guys as they explore the stories of pyramids across the globe, including their alleged uses and more.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Who killed the Shermans? Part One: Death Imitates Art

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

In 2017, Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman were discovered dead in their Toronto-area mansion, in a gruesome tragedy that remains unsolved in the modern day. Police initially declared the case a murder-suicide -- a conclusion no one found accurate. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the troubling details of this crime, from the initial investigation up to the profoundly disturbing details of how the murders were carried out, all leading to a single, still-unanswered question: Who killed the Shermans, and why?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Moving to Mars with Marshall Brain

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

In 2017, Elon Musk laid out plans to build a permanent colony on Mars -- one with at least a million human inhabitants. What would this colony look like? How would it work? Most importantly, could we use a Martian colony as an opportunity to improve on the socioeconomic practices of Earth? To find these answers, Ben, Matt and Noel went to the smartest guy they know: Marshall Brain, the founder of HowStuffWorks and author of "Imagining Elon Musk's Million-Person Mars Colony."

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Nuclear Fusion?! Lensa, and a Mysterious Fire in Brooklyn.

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

A warehouse fire in Brooklyn destroys incalculable amounts of NYPD evidence. The app Lensa prompts a conversation about the future of art (which Ben partially predicted). Human-made nuclear fusion is finally real -- but will it work the way humans hope? All this and more in this week's Strange News.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Is Money a Religion?

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Since before the dawn of recorded history, the power of belief has been a driving force for human civilization. Spiritual movements have risen and fallen, only to be replaced by other belief systems. Today much of the developed world is considered increasingly secular -- or is it? Join the guys as they explore the strange and troubling question: What if, instead of becoming less religious, the world has simply switched to another religion… the church of money? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Search For Bigfoot

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

For centuries, cultures around the world have told tales of "wild men" lurking in the woods, and reports of these creatures continue in the modern day. So what exactly is Bigfoot? Join the guys as they interview David Bakara, the creator of Expedition: Bigfoot, to learn more about his search for the creature and the inspiration behind his museum. They don’t want you to read our book.

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CLASSIC: Could we still discover unknown large animals?

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Experts believe that millions of undiscovered species exist in the modern day -- but most are tiny microbes and insects. What if there are much larger undiscovered creatures out there? What would they look like? Where would they be? And, if they exist, will human beings ever find them? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What was the Black Hand?

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In the early 20th century, Europe was a smoldering powder keg of international tension, imperial ambitions and long-held resentments between great powers. Although extensive diplomatic efforts attempt to reconcile and repair relationships between nations, a single assassination by a secret society launched Europe in all-out war. So what was the Black Hand? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Serial Killers on the Loose: Part 2

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 16:12:58 +0000

It sounds like something straight out of a noir film -- an unidentified killer goes on a murder spree and disappears in a clean getaway, taunting the cops before disappearing. Unfortunately, this phenomenon isn't limited to the world of fiction. Listen in to learn more about killer who (so far) vanished into thin air. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Companies Run by Cults

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 19:12:34 +0000

From fast food to mass media, it can be tough to know who really runs a company. In today's episode, the guys dive into the true stories of companies that are either founded by or run by groups the average person would consider... cults. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What is red mercury?

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Since the 1980s, Russian and US sources have repeatedly claimed that various groups of terrorists are dangerously close to acquiring a mysterious substance known as 'red mercury.' But what exactly is this stuff -- and why can't anyone agree about its chemical makeup, uses, or effects? Tune in and learn why there might be more to the story. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Does China Have "Police Stations" Abroad?

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 19:45:47 +0000

The rumors have been building for years: multiple countries now accuse China of illegally setting up police stations abroad, forcing hundreds of innocent people to permanently return to China against their will. So how much of this is propaganda, and how much is true? Tune in to learn more. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Unacknowledged: An Interview with Dr. Steven Greer

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Every year, thousands of people across the planet report seeing unidentified flying objects -- and thousands more believe world governments keep secret information about these objects hidden from the public eye. Join the guys as they interview the founder of CSETI and The Disclosure Project, Dr. Steven M. Greer, about the future of government secrets, UFOs and disclosure. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Facial Recognition with Jonathan Strickland

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

You've heard of facial recognition technology before, and you've definitely seen some representation of it in films and television shows -- but how does the actual tech work? How pervasive is it, and, most importantly, what don't authorities want you to know about it? Join the guys and special guest Jonathan Strickland as they delve past the fiction and explore the disturbing facts surrounding facial recognition. They don’t want you to read our book.

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The 1752 Calendar Heist

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

As the Earth approaches another holiday season and the end of one more year, the guys start thinking about the passage of time -- and not in the normal way. In this holiday episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the an alleged conspiracy from centuries past, when people throughout England were convinced the powers that be had literally stolen eleven days from their lives. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Listener Mail: Cloudbusting -- and What To Do If You Find a Random Firearm

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Have you ever tried to disperse clouds with the power of your mind? What should you do if you stumble across a random firearm in public? In this week's listener mail, Ben and Matt explore these questions and more. They don’t want you to read our book.

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FIFA Is So Cartoonishly Corrupt

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Guess who's going to win the 2022 World Cup? We can tell you. Tune in to learn more about the past, present and future of FIFA -- one of the world's oldest, most powerful, and most cartoonishly corrupt NGOs. They don’t want you to read our book.

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CLASSIC: What the heck is a Toynbee Tile?

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

For decades, mysterious tiles have appeared in dozens of cities across North and South America, touting a strange -- and strangely consistent -- message. But what are the Toynbee Tiles? What is their purpose and who made them? They don’t want you to read our book.

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Strange News: Massive Coup Attempt in Germany, Chinese Police Stations and More

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In a story that sounds straight out of a comic book, German authorities announce the arrest of more than twenty people who were apparently on the cusp of attempting to overthrow the government. The FBI raises public concern that China may have secret police stations -- not just in the United States... but in countries across the world. All this and more in this week's Strange News with Ben and Matt. They don’t want you to read our book.

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The New Chronology Theory

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that human understanding of history is constantly evolving. Each year, experts across the planet make new connections and discoveries that further our understanding of the past. But what if, through incompetence or conspiracy, everyone got it wrong? This is the concept of 'New Chronology,' a strange theory arguing that the vast majority of what we call human history... kind of never happened. Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the tale. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Listener Mail: Forcing the Mentally Ill into Hospitals, Hallucinogens and Religion, Strange Lights in Michigan

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 16:30:00 +0000

Depression Dave reveals New York's controversial plan to force the mentally ill into treatment facilities -- whether or not they consent. Michigan lights shares a strange tale of flying lights out in Michigan. V asks for more information about the alleged link between hallucinogens and the formation of religion. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Space Ghost: The Return of the X-37B, Part II

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's true -- Earth's near orbit is filled with all sorts of stuff. Most of it is mundane, and most people honestly don't think about it too often. But, just recently, a mysterious unmanned craft landed after more than 900 days out there in the inky depths of space, prompting Ben and Matt to ask: What the heck is the X-37B actually doing up there -- and why are other countries building their own versions of this ship? Learn more in part two of this two-part series. They don’t want you to read our book.

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CLASSIC: What happened to Hitler?

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

On April 30th, 1945, one of the most infamous men in recent history died by his own hand as Allied forces bore down on his bunker. At least, that’s the official story. Yet for decades historians and theorists across the planet have questioned this narrative -- so what actually happened to Adolf Hitler? They don’t want you to read our book.

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Strange News: Black Hole Beams at Earth, Tax Sites Snitch to Meta, and San Francisco Deploys Robots with Explosives

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 16:08:50 +0000

Scientists have spotted a black hole energy beam as bright as 1,000 trillion suns pointed directly at Earth. Major tax-filing websites are secretly sharing income data with Meta. Over in San Francisco, law enforcement is deploying robots armed with explosives. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Space Ghost: The Return of the X-37B, Part I

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's true -- Earth's near orbit is filled with all sorts of stuff. Most of it is mundane, and most people honestly don't think about it too often. But, just recently, a mysterious unmanned craft landed after more than 900 days out there in the inky depths of space, prompting Ben and Matt to ask: What the heck is the X-37B actually doing up there? Tune in for part one of this special two-part series. They don’t want you to read our book.

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CLASSIC: ConspiracyStuff LIVE: The Future of Surveillance

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Manhattan is home to some of the world's most iconic buildings -- but it's also home to something more mysterious: A looming, windowless skyscraper in the heart of Tribeca. The press doesn't have much to say about it, and neither does the telecom that owns the building. So what exactly is going on inside? Tune in as Ben, Matt and Noel explore bizarre buildings and the future of surveillance in this episode, recorded live in Brooklyn during NYCPodfest. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Is the Moon Messing with you?

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Billions of years ago, something about the size of Mars smacked into Earth, launching tons of debris that later became the moon. This means life on Earth has always existed beneath this natural satellite -- so how can the moon affect us? Are all those stories about full moons and erratic behavior true? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Where are the world's most frequent UFO sightings?

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

For millenia people across the planet have reported seeing bizarre objects in the sky. However, efforts to collect and analyze these reports have often fallen victim to poor methodology, a lack of funding or an overt agenda. Luckily, the situation has changed for the better in recent years. So what does the latest info tell us about UFO sightings? Where are they occur most frequently? The answer might surprise you. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Did Hallucinogens Create Religion?

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

How did the human species become the most self-aware, successful primate on the planet? They don’t want you to read our book.

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The World's Infamous Prisoners: Thoughtcrime

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In part one of this two-part series, a question from a fellow Conspiracy Realist led the gang to explore the idea of 'dangerous' prisoners -- in this follow-up, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the most fascinating part of this question: Why do so many governments consider people dangerous not for their actions... but for their ideas? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Secret Vietnam Tech, How the US Became Hooked on Cars, and the Truth about Monopolies

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A fellow Conspiracy Realist asks whether Google is propping up Mozilla to disguise their search engine monopoly. The Driver asks for more details on secret technology from the Vietnam War. Mologato gets Ben on a rant about how the US became so car-centric, prompting a far-reaching conversation about the past, present and future of transit. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.

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The World's Most Infamous Prisoners: Violent Crime

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that the world's prison systems have tons of serious, fundamental problems -- yet most people can agree some criminals simply cannot be allowed into the public. When a question from a fellow Conspiracy Realist leads Ben, Matt and Noel into a rabbit hole, they ask: Who are the world's most dangerous prisoners? Perhaps more importantly, how do those in power define "danger" in the first place? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Mysterious Lake City Quiet Pills

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Did a group of private assassins use a series of sleazy websites as fronts for their base of operations? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they delve into the mysterious story of Lake City Quiet Pills. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Team America, FTX Crash, and the Mystery of the X-37B in Space

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A former DEA ageny sentenced to 12 years for a string of corruption-related crimes shares his story with the press. Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange FTX crashes, leading to some interesting -- and unproven -- conspiracy theories. After more than 900 days in space, the unmanned X-37B returns to Earth... but no one's saying much about what it was doing up there in the dark for almost two and a half years. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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How Secure are Security Clearances?

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

How does a government decide who can know what? In the modern day, it comes down to something called security clearances. In today's episode the guys explore how the US decides who's trustworthy enough to get the scoop on stuff the public can't know -- and what happens when things go wrong. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Nicholas Rossi's "Hospital Tattoos," Tennessee Spirits, and Mysteries of the Moon

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:45:00 +0000

Fiona hips the gang to the bizarre, disturbing tale of a man called -- occasionally -- "Nicholas Rossi." Plaquetos calls for more information about the ongoing Appalachian belief in a certain type of haunting spirit. RC prompts a conversation about the effects the moon may have on your body and mind. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.

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How Federal Classification Works (and why it’s a problem)

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000

You've seen it in countless works of film and fiction -- a shady operative hands someone a folder, marked 'classified,' or 'top secret.' But what is classification in real life? What makes one piece of information fit for the public, and another piece the kind of thing that has to be buried for generations? In today's episode, the guys explore the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding how the government chooses the stuff it doesn't want you to know. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Did the CIA invent counterculture?

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In the US, the 1960s were a crucible of culture -- college students, veterans, the disadvantaged and activists across the country sought to overthrow the status quo and build their own vision of a better world. This period in time produced some of the most influential art, music and prose in recent history, and introduced LSD to the mainstream. So why do so many people think it was ultimately a CIA operation? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Mysterious Ghosts on Camera, Kanye, the National Park Service Begs You To Stop Licking Toads

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

An indoor security camera captures a strange, disturbing image. The owners of the "White Lives Matter" offer to sell the trademark for a billion dollars. And, with what appears to be absolute sincerity, the good folks at the US National Parks Service are begging locals to stop licking toads for a hallucinogenic experience. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

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The PROMIS Affair - Digging Deeper

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 16:10:00 +0000

How did a little piece of software meant to organize files become the centerpiece of a global conspiracy? In today's episode, the guys dive deep into a twisting, troubled tale of intrigue, spycraft, and murder. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Listener Mail: Space Junk, The Feds Roll Up, and the Terrifying Reality of Precrime in the US

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Chen calls in with an extraordinary tale of mysterious government agents detaining him at work. The Baron writes in to ask about ancient metal from the stars. Over on Instagram, an anonymous source gives their first-hand experience working in the world of precrime... and how the technology is much further along than the average person might assume. (That last one, in fact, was so frightening that we decided to end on some jokes.) All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Rent To Own: Brilliant Business or Brutal Corruption?

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In the modern day, many individuals define their lives in terms of large financial purchases -- buying a house, a home, or an appliance. Acquiring debt from higher schooling or a medical procedure, and so on. When you can't pay all at once, you get a loan. When you can't get a loan, you look elsewhere... and, it turns out, there's a multibillion dollar industry waiting to sell you a dream. So, what happens next? In today's episode, the guys dive into the troubling evolution of the "rent-to-own" industry, and what it means for the shift from an ownership society to a world of constant renters. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Die Glocke: The Legend of the Nazi Bell

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Like most other militaries of the time, the Nazi army conducted extensive classified research into all aspects of warfare, from rocketry to drugs, tank improvements and so on. They also delved into more exotic realms, and their endeavors remain a subject of enduring fascination in the modern age. Perhaps the most famous of these legendary experiments is something known as Die Glocke, or the Nazi Bell. But what is it supposed to be, exactly? What does it do? And, if it is real, where did it end up? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Delphi, A Meat Heist, Pelosi Conspiracies, and the FBI Raids a Journalist

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 16:10:56 +0000

Officials have arrested a suspect in connection to the harrowing Delphi murders. Three men from the Miami area get caught in a multi-state meat heist scheme. Cynical 'conspiracy theories' proliferate in the wake of the attack on Paul Pelosi. The FBI raids the home of journalist James Gordon Meek -- only to find he's disappeared. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Behind The Scenes: Inside Our Book

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Why write a book about conspiracies and conspiracy theories? In today's behind-the-scenes episode, the guys explore how the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know book came to be, how they chose what to leave in -- and what they're saving for the next one. Order a copy here.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Reincarnation, Late-night Modems and Ben Goes Off The Grid

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 15:33:39 +0000

A fellow Conspiracy Realist writes in with a unique perspective on reincarnation. A late-night modem noise triggers a primal response. Ben remains away on what he only describes as a "secret project." All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.

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ShotSpotter: Part Two

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

ShotSpotter is a private company leveraging audio technology and proprietary algorithmns to locate gunfire with an incredibly high degree of accuracy. It's currently deployed across hundreds of square miles of the US -- many proponents argue it saves lives, but critics allege it has some serious problems... including corruption and conspiracy. In the second part of this two-part series, the guys explore the claims, concerns and controversies surrounding ShotSpotter -- including the stories other media made about the company, before those claims were retracted for inaccuracy. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The Sick, Sweet Secret of the Sugar Cover-up

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Everyone knows sugar in excessive amounts can have damaging effects on your health -- but just how bad is it, and why do people in the US still consume so much? Join the guys as they delve into the strange story of the decades-long sugar conspiracy. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Ye Update, A Bizarre 911 Call, and Ben Goes Missing

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 14:59:25 +0000

An update on the ongoing fallout surrounding Kanye West. Investigators are looking for a Fremont family, worried that no one has seen them for four days after recent, erratic behavior from the father. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Did the US abandon soldiers in the Vietnam War?

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 21:00:00 +0000

At the close of the Paris Peace Accords, the US and Vietnam agreed to return any POWs to their home country -- however, for decades after the close of the conflict, people in country reported seeing missing American soldiers, sometimes held by foreign officials, sometimes on their own in the jungle. So what happened to the hundreds of missing soldiers in the Vietnam War... and how much did the US government actually know about i99th? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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ShotSpotter: Part One

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 18:51:26 +0000

ShotSpotter is a private company leveraging audio technology and proprietary algorithms to locate gunfire with an incredibly high degree of accuracy. It's currently deployed across hundreds of square miles of the US -- many proponents argue it saves lives, but critics allege it has some serious problems... including corruption and conspiracy. In the first part of this two-part series, the guys explore the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding automated gunshot detection systems. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Digging Deeper Into Food Deserts

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Nutrition is a huge deal. The need to eat is one of the very few things all human beings have in common, and nations have risen and fallen based on this fact. Yet even in 2022, not everyone is getting enough of the right stuff to eat. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the concept of food deserts -- including why some people hate the term, and why others think it's the result of a conspiracy. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Does China Have Psychic Child Soldiers?

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays many people are familiar with the US government's bizarre psychic experiments -- but what about China's? Join the guys as they explore the strange phenomenon of China's psychic children. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What happened to Elisa Lam?

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In 2013, Canadian college student Elisa Lam disappeared while on a solo trip through California. For weeks law enforcement was at a loss to explain the disappearance -- until, that is, a maintenance worker at the Cecil Hotel discovered her body in a water tank. And with that, what should have been the end of a tragic tale instead became the prologue to a mystery that, according to many, remains unsolved in the present day: What happened to Elisa Lam?. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Propaganda At Home: The Smith-Mundt Act

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Let's be honest: propaganda is a bit of a dirty word nowadays. When you hear it mentioned in the media, it's almost always framed as a sinister tool of the bad guys -- but make no mistake: every country on the planet deploys propaganda on a regular basis. And the problem is escalating. In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore a stunning, often-ignored aspect of propaganda in the United States. About ten years ago, Uncle Sam quietly made it absolutely legal to lie to the American public. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Listener Mail: Glitter Insider, Shotspotter, Fishing Scandals

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 15:13:25 +0000

A listener from the world of government regulation writes with surprising insider information about the great glitter mystery. Multiple Conspiracy Realists share differing opinions on the Shotspotter technology. Sources familiar with fishing contests follow up on the latest cheating scandal. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The Silurian Hypothesis

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Today, the vast majority of experts can largely agree on the basics of human evolution, from the early days of the first populations migrating out of the African continent to the dawn of agriculture, the written word and, quite recently, industrialization. But what if this isn't the first time Earth was home to an industrialized society? Could it be possible that some other civilization rose -- and fell -- far before our own? Tune in to learn more about the Silurian Hypothesis. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: The NSA: Fact, Fiction and Fright

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Since the 1950s, the National Security Agency has been responsible for collecting, analyzing and verifying a vast amount of signals intelligence, ostensibly to protect the people of the United States. Over the decades the agency has grown to become one of the world's premiere repositories of intelligence -- everything from internet search histories to phone calls and texts, as well. In the final days of President Obama's administration the NSA was quietly allowed to share this information with every other US intelligence agency. So what happens next? They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Strange News: Superorganisms in Your Mouth, the Overview Effect, and Police Making Dangerous Portraits with DNA

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

New research shows cavity-causing microbes can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’ and spread on teeth. William Shatner experiences the Overview Effect after Bezos takes him to space. Edmonton police face widespread backlash after they use DNA evidence to make a computer sketch of a suspect, prompting fears of widespread, unfair profiling. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Creatures of the Night: Alleged Monsters Around the World, Part II

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For many people, monster stories are just that -- stories. Tall tales and folklore meant to entertain an audience. However, you might be surprised to learn that people around the world still genuinely believe in some supernatural entities. Tune in and learn more in part two of this two-part series. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Listener Mail: On the Frontlines of Iran, Peanut Allergies on the Rise, and Holy Land, USA.

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:16:31 +0000

Unwilling Stardust writes in with a harrowing account of Iran's growing protests. Coinkydink asks why peanut allergies seem to be on the rise. Agent Minuteman hips the crew to the strange story of Holy Land, USA. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Creatures of the Night: Alleged Monsters Around the World, Part I

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For many people, monster stories are just that -- stories. Tall tales and folklore meant to entertain an audience. However, you might be surprised to learn that people around the world still genuinely believe in some supernatural entities. Tune in and learn more in part one of this two-part series. They don’t want you to read our book.

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CLASSIC: Grimoires: Fact and Fiction

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

From fictional works like the Necronomicon to the all-too-real Key of Solomon, humanity has long been obsessed with the idea of ancient tomes holding hidden, unholy and possibly dangerous secrets. But where do these grimoires come from? How many are hoaxes, and are there any legitimate works out there?

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Strange News: Plants Swing Machetes, Cheating Fishermen, Possible Serial Killer in California

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The United States has created a new Ambassador exclusively for plants -- and good thing, too, because plants just learned to use machetes. The world of competitive fishing is rocked by a scandalous cheating incident. A series of murders in California raises concerns that a serial killer may be on the loose. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book.

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Who's Buying All The Glitter?

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

When most of us think of glitter, we think of arts and crafts -- not a conspiracy. But, as it turns out, the glitter industry has a strange, enduring secret. One group is buying the majority of the glitter in the United States... and the glitter companies have vowed never to make this information public. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the strange secrets of the Glitter Conspiracy. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Listener Mail: Conspiracies About Conspiracies, Shotspotter, the Nature of Fact

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 15:30:00 +0000

A-Frame asks whether the wildest conspiracies are, themselves, part of a larger conspiracy to bury stories those in power would prefer we ignore. A caller asks for more information about the dystopian Shotspotter system. Knotta Tweaker asks for more information about the nature of facts. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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A Monster in Belgium: The Dutroux Affair, with Matt Graves

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In 1996, hundreds of thousands of Belgian citizens marched in public protest against an apparent conspiracy of the highest order -- the kidnapper and serial murderer Marc Dutroux was, they claimed, not acting alone. In today's interview, Ben and Matt sit down with special guest Matt Graves, the creator and host of Le Monstre, to learn more about this case. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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CLASSIC: The Hemp Car Cover-up

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Make no mistake: the United States is a car culture, and the extreme sprawl of the country means the vast majority of citizens can’t realistically live without their cars. This has inevitably led to enormous amounts of pollution and (some would argue) wars over the resources needed to keep the car culture going. So what if there was an alternative? Why would someone cover it up? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Strange News: Big Pharma, Mysterious Airport Moans and Bret Favre

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Pharma company Biogen is on the hook for 900 millions dollars due to allegations of an unethical kickback scheme. Brett Favre is under suspicion of financial corruption in Mississippi. An American Airlines flight was, apparently, haunted by the sounds of a man groaning over the intercom for the duration of the trip -- and no one's sure what happened. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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The Bizarre Tale of the Circleville Letters

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The small town of Circleville, Ohio is, in most respects, a normal place. It has all the usual trappings of a small community: churches, grocery stores... and a few skeletons in the figurative closet. Back in the 1970s, it was terrorized by a series of strange, anonymous letters threatening to expose some of the town's most scandalous secrets. In today's episode, Ben and Matt dive into the mystery of the Circleville letters -- a mystery that remains, to some, unsolved in the modern day. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Book Excerpt: Assassinations

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 22:24:55 +0000

How many governments has the US overthrown? In today's special episode, we're sharing an excerpt from our upcoming Stuff They Don't Want You To Know audiobook. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Vigilante Justice: The Story of La Sombra Negra

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:15:00 +0000

In the wake of a horrific civil war, El Salvador found itself confronted with enormously pervasive, deadly gang activity -- it seemed the official law enforcement channels were often incapable of fighting back against the flood of crime. Until, that is, a new organization came out of the shadows -- unaccountable to authorities, unstoppable, and brutal. Today's question: What is La Sombra Negra? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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CLASSIC: Did Sheldon Gosline Discover a Lost Civilization?

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For centuries self-assured academics believed Troy was a mythological city -- until, that is, the ruins were discovered. Over the span of history, the human species has lost people, cities and entire civilizations. Occasionally, governments don't want these lost empires to be found. So what happens when a controversial linguist claims to discover an ancient people spanning Iran to Southern China? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Havana Syndrome Update, with Jack O'Brien

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:30:00 +0000

The story began, officially, in 2017 -- multiple US government employees stationed abroad began reporting eerily similar symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to intense headaches and debilitating ringing in the ears. Soon this became known as "Havana Syndrome." So what, exactly, is it? This question has fascinated Ben, Matt and Noel almost as much as today's special guest, Jack O'Brien. In today's episode, the guys team up to separate fact from fiction in this strange, ongoing saga. (Bonus: We quiz Jack on conspiracies at the end). They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Strange News: The Pentagon Will 'Review' Its Own Psyops, NPCs and Inequality, Autopsy Crimes in Kansas

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

A conman in Kansas has just been sent to prison for a long series of illegal autopsy schemes. Self-appointed technocrats float the idea of poor people functioning as NPCs online. The Pentagon, in a stunning damage control initiative, pledges to conduct a 'sweeping review' of their own, ongoing psyop activities -- spoiler, this last story affects you directly. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Listener Mail: Martian Helicopters, Quran Translations, Frightening Shipwrecks, and So Many Bad Jokes

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Seven shares his inside experience working in the space industry. Alice writes to explain the tricky issue of translation applied to the Quran. Tyler points out the ocean is littered with shipwrecks... and there may be dangerous consequences for this in the future. We end the whole thing with Humorous Harry's handmade, immensely groan-worthy jokes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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What is "Clearing" a House ?

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever encountered a place with an inexplicable bad vibe? Do you believe events of the past can leave an intangible mark affecting the present? In some cases, people combat these concerns through spiritually-based cleansing rituals -- but there's more to the story. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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CLASSIC: The Mystery of the Cagots

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For centuries communities in France and Spain practiced a brutal, widely-accepted system of discrimination against a group of families and individuals known as Cagots -- but who were these people? Where did they come from, and where are they now? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Strange News: Alleged Chess Scandal, "Baby Shark" as Torture, and Russia Proven to Spend Millions Rigging Your Government

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

An Oklahoma County inmate was found dead while embroiled in a case alleging he had been psychologically tortured by the "Baby Shark" song. An alleged incident of cheating in chess. In international news, the world receives stunning confirmation that the Russian government has been using dark money to twist foreign government for years ... and we still don't know just how much money we're talking. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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The Calvine UFO Photograph

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Imagine you're hiking through the Scottish countryside, and hear a low, long hum. You look up to see -- something. You take photos, and send them to the local newspaper. The newspaper, strangely, never publishes the story. And that's only the beginning of the Calvine UFO saga. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Listener Mail: Food Deserts, Hijacking Planes, and the World's Most Dangerous Prisoners

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Bad Ghost hips us to a recent plane hijacking, targeting a Walmart. Roadrunner asks where the world's most dangerous prisoners are kept. Lactrodectus inspires an upcoming episode on conspiracies surrounding food deserts. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Modern Cults, Part II: The Creativity Movement, Kashi Ashram and Angel's Landing

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What makes one belief system a religion, and another a cult? How can non-religious organization themselves be cults? In part two of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore modern cultic organizations. Warning: this episode not be appropriate for all listeners. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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CLASSIC: The Search For Noah's Ark

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For centuries various groups claimed they'd discovered the remnants of Noah's Ark, the legendary wooden ship of Biblical fame. Despite controversy, skepticism and numerous dead ends, the search continues into the present day. And, what's more, several Ark hunters believe there's a conspiracy afoot -- the secular world knows the Ark is real, they argue, but work to suppress the truth. Why?

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Strange News: Animal Attacks, Tragic Love with a Hologram, and NASA Plays Pool in Space

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Turtles and turkeys attack humans. Kangaroos overrun a small Australian town. A man in Japan loses his hologram wife when a company stops supporting her software. Out in space, NASA's ambitious DART program aims to alter the direction of a near-Earth asteroid. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Modern Cults, Part I: Black Hammers and More

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What makes one belief system a religion, and another a cult? How can non-religious organization themselves be cults? In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore modern cultic organizations. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Listener Mail: Rare Blood Types, PROMIS, and Poop in the Mail

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 15:09:13 +0000

A first-hand account of finding poop in the mail. A deep dive into the world of spycraft and software. An exploration of the facts behind rare blood types. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Who's Hiding the Broccoli? A Conversation with Jordan Harbinger

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 16:20:00 +0000

Have you ever spoken with a spy? How do you use critical thinking to cut past the noise of mass media and propaganda? In today's interview, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome special guest Jordan Harbinger to discuss his incredible adventures in North Korea, his deep-dive conversations with everyone from celebrities to spies and defectors, as well as his approach to critical thinking -- and much, much more. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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CLASSIC: Is the Military on Drugs?

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

From the old stories of Viking Berserkers to the rise of the Assassins and more, humanity has spent millennia using drugs as a way to explore spirituality, repair the body -- and, sometimes, to gain an edge in combat. But how prevalent was this practice? How does it continue in the modern day?

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Strange News: Governor Warns against Drinking City Water, Texas vs. The Bible, and Legal Rights for Plants

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The Governor of Mississippi warns people to avoid drinking any water from Jackson. A Texas law accidentally flags the bible -- and Florida rejects other dictionary donations due to a similar policy. Should plants have legal rights? It's a debate that may be on the horizon. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Hairy-handed Road Rage: A British Ghost Story

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

For decades, locals near England's B3212 spun a strange tale: a pair of disembodied hands might just take the wheel while you're driving -- and you just might crash. But how did this story come about? Why are so many people convinced they've encountered the infamous Hairy Hands? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.

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Listener Mail: A Surveillance Meet-Cute, A Second Coming and The Dolphin Illuminati

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Janky Jay has a chance encounter with the ghost in her machine, Al sends us down a Swedenborg rabbit hole and the Baron Upon Eaton relays an ancient vision of Venus. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour. q42Jk3hzLwhkSAHQx9Cj

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Cartels as Corporations -- and Governments

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

As the War on Drugs continues, cartels have grown from street-level gangs to something like corporations, complete with diversified portfolios of criminal activity. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore what happens when organized crime functions as a corporate entity -- and what happens when cartels begin to supplant actual governments.

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CLASSIC: What is Project Iceworm?

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:30:00 +0000

How many secret military bases exist around the world? How many of those are active, and how many abandoned? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore both the specific discovery of Project Iceworm and the larger practice of building top-secret bases around the globe.

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Strange News: Roomba Snoops, Loose Poops and Meta is a Snitch

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:57:25 +0000

A disgruntled man takes revenge on politicians by mailing feces. Meta (formerly Facebook) is under scrutiny after sharing info that led law enforcement to investigate someone for the now-illegal act of abortion. Amazon's proposed purchase of iRobot, the maker of Roomba, has privacy advocates furious -- and they're concerned about something much more dangerous than an automated vacuum.

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Permaculture

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

As humanity pushes ever closer to global catastrophe -- and non-human life on planet Earth struggles to survive -- a growing body of experts argue for any number of strategies to repair and maintain the world's ecosystems. In recent decades, more and more individuals and communities have deployed a new (or very, very old) approach to sustainable life on Earth: a system called permaculture. But what is it, exactly?

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CLASSIC: Catholics, Children and Conspiracy: The Epidemic of Abuse

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For decades various individuals and organizations with the Catholic Church were dogged by rumors of horrific abuse – and, eventually, it turned out that several of those rumors were true. But how far back does this abuse go, and how widespread is it? Listen in to learn more.

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Would the US really invade the Hague?

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Since 2002, the International Criminal Court has served as a "court of last resort" with a jurisdiction that spans the globe from its headquarters in The Hague. It investigates crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity and more. It has a near-global reach -- with some notable exceptions. Back when the court formed, several countries refused to sign on, and the US went even further, passing a law that said "look, if you try to touch any US national, we are invading your court." Today's question: Would they really do it?

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CLASSIC: What’s the US National Radio Quiet Zone?

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Tucked away in a stretch of rural land in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, the radio quiet zone is 13,000 square miles of near-total electronic silence. What’s going on in this area where cellphones don’t work and microwaves are illegal? Tune in to learn more.

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Is there a real "truth serum"?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

We've all seen truth serum in any number of big screen thrillers, or read about it in fanciful crime novels. A spy, a terrorist, even a high-ranking politician gets shot up with a mysterious substance that has them, despite all their efforts, revealing top-secret information: the location of a hidden treasure, the codes to a nuclear weapon, the true identity of a mysterious mob kingpin. But is there a real truth serum -- a genuine chemical that could make you conspire against yourself? In this episode, Ben and Matt find out.

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CLASSIC: The Hidden World of Psychopaths

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

How common are psychopaths? Is it possible that you've met one? Join the guys as they explore the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding one of the world's most widely misunderstood mental illnesses.

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The Strange Story of Bob Lazar

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

These days, it's common knowledge that governments hide any number of things from the public -- but how deep does the rabbit hole go? According to Bob Lazar, the US government has been hiding the existence of extraterrestrials for decades (if not longer). In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore Lazar's claims, his critics -- and the vast conspiracy Bob believes exists, largely unknown to the public, in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: Did aliens appear over Los Angeles?

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In the wee hours of February 25th, 1942, air raid sirens resounded across LA. Anti-aircraft guns fired the better part of 1500 shells at something. To many people, that mysterious UFO has yet to be identified, more than half a century later. So what really happened?

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CLASSIC: How could the CIA have faked the moon landing?

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For nearly half a century people around the world have believed the moon landing was faked. If that were true, how could people possibly perpetrate such a massive hoax? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they interview Matt Johnson about his film Operation Avalanche.

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Listener Mail: Big Brother At Work, Standardized Tests and a Crucial Guinea Pig Correction

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 13:15:00 +0000

A fellow Conspiracy Realist shares first-hand experiences with Big Brother at your Job. K Dubs calls in with more info about the dangers of privatized testing in the private sphere. Naked Mole Rat writes in with a crucial clarification on the guy's earlier conversation about Guinea Pigs. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Clintons and Corruption, Part II: White Water, Dirty Money and Larger Problems

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

From the politics of Arkansas to the heights of Presidential power, Bill and Hillary Clinton have become one of the world's most influential political power couples -- and, along the way, they've garnered a ton of allegations and accusations. In part two of this series, Ben and Matt dive into the allegations surrounding Whitewater, financial shenanigans and more.

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The Clintons and Corruption, Part I: Origins and Body Counts

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:15:00 +0000

From the politics of Arkansas to the heights of Presidential power, Bill and Hillary Clinton have become one of the world's most influential political power couples -- and, along the way, they've garnered a ton of allegations and accusations. But how many of these are true, and how many are smear campaigns and conspiracy theories? In part one of this two-part series, the guys dive into the world of Clinton conspiracies.

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CLASSIC: Sport Conspiracies, Part II

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Could your favorite sports be fixed? Join Ben, Matt and Noel for their continuing interview with author Brian Tuohy as they explore the murky world behind the sports headlines - a world comprised of illegal gambling, extortion, blackmail and organized crime.

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Strange News: Alex Jones Goes to Court, It's Raining PFAs, Massachusetts Forgives Last Witch

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Alex Jones faces the latest legal proceedings regarding Sandy Hook. Rainwater across the world is riddled with harmful chemicals. A mysterious sinkhole emerges in Chile. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Banks Are Buying Your Neighborhood, Part II

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

It's true: financial institutions are, indeed, buying up homes and turning them into rentals. But should this be a cause for concern? In the second part of this two-part series, the guys look at the strategy these companies use when choosing homes (or entire neighborhoods), as well as how this came about, and what it means for the average homebuyer competing in the same areas.

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Listener Mail: The Airbag Black Market, Thermostat Shenanigans, and the Case of the Somerton Man

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:04:36 +0000

A caller prompts a conversation about the booming black market for airbags. It seems some power companies are using smart thermometers to mess with their customer's temperature settings. Over in Australia, multiple Conspiracy Realists are startled to find the infamous case of the Somerton Man might just be solved. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Banks Are Buying Your Neighborhood, Part I

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Across the United States, would-be homebuyers are telling a similar story: after weeks or months of searching, they finally find a home they can afford -- only to be outbid by another buyer, often offering to pay in cash, at thousands of dollars above the asking price. What's going on? According to multiple reports, the answer isn't just wealthy families -- instead, they argue, financial institutions are moving in, buying up not just homes, but entire neighborhoods. Is this just a rumor? Is there something more to the story? Tune in to find out in part one of this two-part series.

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CLASSIC: Sports Conspiracies, Part I

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Could it be possible that your favorite sports are fixed? Join the guys as they interview Brian Tuohy, author of The Fix is In, on the murky connections between sports, gambling, politics and organized crime in the first part of this two-episode series.

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Strange News: Fast Food Founder Buys Everyone Lottery Tickets, Holes in the Ocean Floor, Scary Algorithm Predicts Crime with 90% Accuracy

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The founder of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers buys a lottery ticket for all 50,000 of his employees. Observers are baffled by a series of mysterious holes in the ocean floor. Perhaps most disturbingly, a new algorithm created over at the University of Chicago seems to accurately predict crimes a week before they occur -- and exposes deep biases in law enforcement. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Great Bitcoin Crash

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

To some, Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies are the future of finance, deregulated and free from the problems of the existing financial others. To critics, they're little more than a bad investment or an outright ponzi scheme. But what happens when the coins begin to crash? In today's episode, the guys explore what led to the ongoing Bitcoin crash -- and why some believe there's more to the story.

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Listener Mail: Make More Poor, Banks Buy Your Neighborhood, The Future of Infrastructure

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:05:12 +0000

Poppy Hotdog asks whether the recent Supreme Court comes from an ulterior motive. Conspiracy Realists share experiences with a brutal -- at times conspiratorial -- housing market. Earth Shaman inspires a realistic exploration of the reality of self-sustaining communities. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Is LaMDA alive? Part II

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Recently, Google engineer Blake Lemoine made international news with his claims that the company's creation LaMDA - Launguage Model for Dialogue Applications - has become sentient. While Google does describe LaMDA as "breakthrough conversation technology," the company does not agree with Lemoine -- to say the least. In part two of this two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the critics' responses -- as well as Lemoine and LaMDA's takes. (Note: shortly after this recording, Lemoine was officially fired from Google.)

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CLASSIC: Cannibalism: Fact and Fiction

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Cannibalism is an ancient taboo, but how often has it actually occurred? Join the guys in this classic episode as they explore the grisly rumors and frightening facts behind history’s stories of cannibalism.

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Strange News: Amazon is Snitching, Heists in LA, and "Mutant" Soldiers in Ukraine?

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Amazon has been giving Ring videos to law enforcement, without the consent of the owners. Someone in LA stole millions' dollars worth of jewelry from a Brinks armored truck. Over in Russia, two politicians are claiming the government of Ukraine, with the help of the US, is experimenting on soldiers. The West keeps calling these alleged supersoldiers 'mutants' -- problem is, that's not what the Russians said, at all. Tune in for all this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Is LaMDA alive? Part I

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Recently, Google engineer Blake Lemoine made international news with his claims that the company's creation LaMDA - Launguage Model for Dialogue Applications - has become sentient. While Google does describe LaMDA as "breakthrough conversation technology," the company does not agree with Lemoine -- to say the least. In part one of this two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the nature of sentience, along with the statements of not just Google and Lemoine -- but LaMDA itself.

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STDWYTK Presents: The Tale of the University Six, Part II

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In today's episode, Bill, Mark and Neil receive a series of new packages seeming to, for the first time, reveal the true fate of the infamous University Six.

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CLASSIC: Human Experimentation: MIT and Cereal

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Did the Quaker Oats company really do experiments on children? Join Matt and Ben as they dig into the checkered past of this cereal monolith.

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Strange News: Oklahoma Murderer Implicates Bigfoot, Shinzo Abe Assassinated, People Blame Terrible Events on CERN

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

A man in Oklahoma claims he committed murder to prevent the victim from summoning Bigfoot. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is assassinated. It turns out millions of people believe experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider may have pushed reality into "another timeline." All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Alien State, with MJ Banias

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

How can we better understand the growing, mainstream interest in UFOs? In this interview, Ben, Matt and Noel are joined by MJ Banias, host of Alien State, to explore his anthropological approach to humanity's attempt to understand those things it cannot yet explain. MJ agrees with Ben's description of UFOs as modern folklore -- and expands upon that concept.

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Listener Mail: Permaculture, the US vs. the Hague, and an Amazon Conspiracy

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 14:53:22 +0000

What is permaculture, exactly? Why does the US have a law allowing them to invade the Hague? Anonymous sources reach out to Ben to ask about a strange conspiracy: is Amazon supporting a Tik Tok grift to swindle writers? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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CLASSIC: Is Sesame Credit Dangerous?

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What if you had a credit score that measured more than just your wallet? What if it took into account your political leanings, Internet traffic, and social media statements -- and what if the same stuff from your friends could affect your score? These are the concerns of Sesame Credit.

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STDWYTK Presents: The Tale of the University Six, Part I

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:10:00 +0000

In today's episode, Bill, Mark and Neil receive a strange package with no return address only to find it contains a mysterious video that may, for the first time, reveal the true fate of the infamous University Six.

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Strange News: The Georgia Guidestones, Gentleminions, Plastic-Eating Worms, Bladder Surgery and Botox

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The gang reacts to the news about the partial destruction -- and then total demolition -- of the Georgia Guidestones. People get various medical operations to avoid restroom breaks on the trek from Manhattan to Long Island. Other people seem set on using cosplay to make the new Minions film a cult classic. And... could a newly-researched variety of plastic-eating worms save humanity from the looming disaster of plastic pollution? All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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CLASSIC: Did Teresita Basa avenge her own death?

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Months after the murder of Teresita Basa, her former coworker began falling into trances, a voice identifying itself as Teresita issuing from her mouth. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, these statements turned out to be true, leading to the conviction of 32 year-old Allen Showers. But what's the real story? Was this justice beyond the grave or beyond the law?

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Listener Mail: Cartels and Animals, Blood Donation Bans, A Cult Called the Body

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Alexandra looks for more information on a cult called the Body. On Instagram, Jessica explores the strange stories of cartels and exotic animals. Travis and Sam in Japan describe their own experiences with blood donation bans. Ben and Matt explore all this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Academic Journals: Corruption and Conspiracy

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Academic journals are vital to the advancement of science -- and the advancement of scientists' careers. These subject-specific periodicals play a huge role in dispersing the latest knowledge in any given field. In short, they're a good thing. But they're also a huge business, which means they have a dark side. In today's episode, Ben and Matt dive deep into the stuff this industry doesn't want you to know.

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CLASSIC: Wikileaks and the DNC

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In 2016 Wikileaks released a cache of internal emails from the Democratic National Committee. "Unnamed experts" trace this event back to Russian hackers. But who are these hackers? What proof exists? And, most importantly, who hacked democracy?

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Strange News: Japanese Drug Loopholes, Mysterious Deaths in the Bahamas, Someone Crashed into the Moon (and No One Will Admit It)

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

A loophole allows for legal cannabis-like substances in Japan. Unexplained deaths plague the Bahamas and South Africa. Ghislaine Maxwell receives a 20-year sentence, a 'human-flavored' vegan burger wins a marketing award -- and something left mysterious craters on the Moon. It was almost certainly a rocket... so why won't any world government own up to launching it? All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Alternate Reality Gaming, with Jeff Hull

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What is the nature of reality? How much of it is objective -- and how much a matter of the ways in which we encounter the world around us? In today's interview, the guys sit down with Jeff Hull, the creator of Nonchalance, the Jejune Institute, the Latitude Society and more for a wide-ranging conversation touching on everything from the splintering of subjective reality to the future of gaming and more.

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CLASSIC: Banks, Drugs and Money: Part 2

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In the conclusion of their two part interview with Robert Mazur, the guys explore the ins and outs of money laundering. Tune in to learn how dirty money gets clean - and what happens (or doesn't happen) to the bad guys when they're caught.

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Wagner: Russia's "Shadow Army"

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The Wagner Group is sometimes described as a paramilitary group, a private military company, or a loose group of mercenaries working directly for Russian President Vladimir Putin. While you may not have heard of them, they've been active in conflicts across the world, earning a dubious reputation for their actions. But what is the group, exactly? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: Banks, Drugs and Money: Part 1

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In the first part of this two-episode series, the guys interview the legendary US Customs and Drug Enforcement agent Robert Mazur. Using the cover identity of Bob Musella, Mazur and his team tracked the shadowy financial dealings of drug traffickers all the way to the international bank that aided them - and brought that bank down. Listen in as Mazur gives an eyewitness account of his harrowing experience, close calls, ultimate victory and more.

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Strange News: Surviving a Kidnapping, Puppet Arrested in DC, China Aims to Censor All Social Media

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

A quick-thinking Florida man stops his own kidnapping, prompting a conversation about how to handle these and similar situations. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is detained in Washington, DC. The government of China goes public with their goal of reviewing every single social media comment going forward -- and, in their statement, they ask for comments on the proposed legislation. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Messiahs, Abuse and Espionage: Adnan Oktar’s Sex Cult

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

If you live in the US, you may not have heard of Adnan Oktar. Yet if you live in Turkey or practice Islam, you’re almost certainly familiar with charismatic, controversial figure. Up until recently, he was a well-known media mogul; an author and spiritual leader with his own, distinct take on Islam. In today’s episode, Ben and Noel explore Oktar’s rise and fall, from his origins to his heyday as a cult leader surrounded by scantily-clad followers — to his ultimate arrest on multiple charges, from the sexual abuse of minors to complicity in a coup.

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Listener Mail: Real-life Telekinesis (Sort of), Hatchet Drones and Immunology

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Jasper writes in with an excellent explanation of how cancer works -- and how cancerous cells can be stopped. Tall Pockets relays an interesting encounter with an inventor, asking for glamour shots of something that is "most definitely not a bomb." Justin and Joe from Facebook ask for more information about a recent groundbreaking innovation: Could humans, one day soon, acquire a bootleg form of telekinesis? All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Cautionary Tales, with Tim Harford

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What can history teach us about the present? How can the average person use critical thinking to avoid being taken in by slick infographics and ardent pundits? In today’s interview, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with legendary economist, author and podcaster Tim Harford to learn more about the importance of critical thinking, economics, and empathy.

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CLASSIC: Could someone erase the world's debt?

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Modern civilization relies on the concept of debt. Wars are fought over it, loves lost and revolutions launched. So what would happen if, one day, it disappeared? Is it even possible? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Is LaMDA alive? Cartel Corruption, Predatory Banking in Utah

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Google employee Blake Lemoine is on leave after going public with his belief that the company's "Language Models for Dialog Applications," or LaMDA, is alive. A high-ranking member of Mexican law enforcement has been sanctioned for his long-standing, deeply illegal arrangement with a drug cartel. Over in Utah, a bank has been flagged for issuing 189% interest loans through auto repair shops. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Rare Earth Metals Gold Rush

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

It may sound hard to believe, but a great deal of Earth's modern electronics -- everything from jets to your smartphone -- depend on just a few substances, things called rare earth metals, or rare earth elements. While you might not hear about them too often, they're one of the hottest commodities on the planet. As you check out today's episode, countries, companies, and a few very powerful people across the world are scrambling to get a piece of the profits -- and they're increasingly less concerned with who might get hurt along the way.

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Listener Mail: Fish in Florida are on Drugs, A Disturbing Rash of Brain Tumors in New Jersey

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:30:00 +0000

An instagram user hips the guys to a bizarre, frightening study of fish off the coast of Florida -- they're testing positive for pharmaceutical drugs, in huge amounts. A caller asks for more information on a little-understood spike in brain tumors in New Jersey. Ben and Matt share phone calls from across the United States responding to recent episodes. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Hazards of Standardized Testing

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Each and every year, billions of children take some form of standardized tests. In theory these tests help measure how much a child has learned, allowing educators to gauge each kid's progress. Yet standardized testing in the US has a troubling origin story, one that's not often talked about. Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: Free Wifi: Gambling with Your Privacy

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Public wifi can be an enormously convenient thing -- it helps people dodge data charges in coffee shops, airports and other places around the globe. But how safe is it? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: Historic Cancer Breakthrough, and a Company Decides Not To Put Drones in Schools

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The CEO of Axon thought he had a solution to mass shootings in schools: putting taser-equipped drones in public facilities. Axon's ethics board resigned, but the story's not over yet. Researchers reveal an unprecedented finding -- it seems a new drug has completely eliminated all traces of a very specific type of cancer. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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How To Citizen, with Baratunde Thurston

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Most Americans can agree that society isn't perfect -- in fact, most people in other parts of the world can say the same about their own societies. But how can we attempt to address these issues? Is there genuinely a conspiracy between the world's wealthiest people to keep the disadvantaged divided? This week, the guys welcome special guest, author, comedian and philosopher Baratunde Thurston to explore these questions and more.

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CLASSIC: Crime, Kidnapping and Organs: The Red Market

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For the majority of human history, a failing vital organ was a death sentence. Yet hard-won lessons from countless tragic medical experiments have given modern humans the amazing ability to swap a failing organ from a healthy one, often with good odds of surviving the operation. So where do the organs come from? Is there really any truth to the rumors of an illegal organ trade?

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The Dangers of Outsourcing

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For some, outsourcing is perfectly fine -- for others, it's dangerous. In today's episode, the guys dive into the ins and outs of outsourcing, from the advantages to the drawbacks... to the conspiracies and corruption surrounding it.

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CLASSIC: Are there secret space programs?

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For millennia humankind has dreamed of reaching the heavens, and in recent decades several countries have begun turning these dreams into reality. Yet the path to the stars isn't all altruism and noble scientific advancement -- in fact, human activities in space have often been shrouded in secrecy, and the practice continues today.

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Strange News: Uncle Sam's Top Secret Plans Exposed (Sort of), AI Cartoons, A Brutal Religious Heist

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Brazen thieves make off with priceless religious artifacts in Brooklyn. AI pushes the boundaries of art. Recent sleuthing reveals the US government has a collection of contingency plans for any imaginable number of apocalyptic scenarios. Congress has no idea what they are -- which means American voters have no say in what might go down. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Future of Private Space Travel

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Past and current philosophers often argue the future of humanity is found not on Earth, but in the stars. In recent decades, private entities have pushed the boundaries of technology, achieving milestones once relegated to the scope of state-level powers. As organizations like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin reach historic breakthroughs, more and more people wonder: Should humanity's exploration of the cosmos be beholden to profit-driven entities? To paraphrase Alfred E. Neuman -- "What, me worry?"

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Listener Mail: The "Most Dangerous Man" and the Looming Threat of Trigger Laws

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Like many inventors, Thomas Midgeley Jr. was certainly driven -- but he seemed driven to constantly create increasingly dangerous, deadly substances. As more and more Americans become concerned about various Supreme Court rulings being overturned, people across the country are trying to figure out just what happens when a trigger law goes into effect. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Corpsewood Manor Murders

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000

When Dr. Charles Scudder and Joey Odom moved to a remote location in rural Georgia, they sought to create their own, personal paradise — complete with drugs, sex and occult symbolism. Locals agreed the men were eccentric, but, by all accounts, friendly and non-threatening. They seemed set to continue living out their strange social experiment in peace — until one violent day changed everything.

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CLASSIC: Berenstein or Berenstain? The Mandela Effect

Tue, 31 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

How reliable are your memories? Is it possible that, somehow, history is changing? People around the world believe the past isn't as static as it might appear. Join the guys as they delve into the strange phenomenon known as the Mandela effect, touching on allegations of the multiverse, conspiracies and the tricky nature of memory.

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Strange News: Digital Product Placement, Cop Car Corruption, and The Why People Are Hoarding Food

Mon, 30 May 2022 15:10:00 +0000

Digital product placement may be the future of cinema. Police in Highland Park seize a building an demand two cars as payment. The UN and multiple experts warn the planet that we have about 9-10 weeks before global food supplies reach a critical shortage. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Censorship in China

Fri, 27 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

By almost every metric imaginable, China is a huge country -- and its government works around the clock to control the flow of domestic and international information. As Hollywood studios become increasingly dependent on profits from the Chinese market, they're forced to obey China's exacting guidelines regarding what can or can not be shown on screen. In today's episode, the guys explore the evolution of China's censorship regime -- and how it's changing the world of blockbuster film.

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CLASSIC: You're Worth About A Dollar: Targeted Online Ads

Thu, 26 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever searched for something online, only to find an eerily related series of ads popping up at each website you visit afterward? If so, you've encountered the Brave New World of targeted online advertising. But is it a force for good? For ill? Join the guys and special guest Jonathan Strickland as they explore the facts, fiction and controversy surrounding online ads.

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Congress and UFOs: A Conversation with Jeremy Corbell

Wed, 25 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

As speculation over multiple reports of bizarre phenomena in the sky grows at an unprecedented pace, the United State Congress recently held a public hearing on the nature of UFOs. In today's interview, the guys sit down with returning guest Jeremy Corbell for an insider's view on the nature of the hearing, the substance of the things Congress did (or did not) address, as well as what this hearing may mean for the future of UFO research.

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CLASSIC: Chemtrails

Tue, 24 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Look -- up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a ...chemtrail? You've probably heard of these allegedly poisonous strips of stuff streaking across the sky, but what are they, exactly? Tune in to learn more in this classic episode.

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Strange News: Poop Transplants Make You "Younger," Canada's QAnon Queen, A Meaty Conspiracy

Mon, 23 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Recent studies indicate fecal microbial transplantation may mitigate age-related disorders... and no one's sure how it works. In Canada, a self-declared Queen is in hot water for telling people not to pay utility bills. A Congressional investigation reveals a conspiracy between the largest meat producers in the United States. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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How to Change People's Memories

Fri, 20 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Memory is, when you think about it, a super power. The ability to relive past experiences can help inform and shape our decisions about the present and the future. Yet memory is unfortunately, surprisingly malleable. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the art of changing memories -- and why some people spend a lot of time attempting to control what people and society think of as "history."

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Listener Mail: Why the Mob Hates Drought, Lucid Dreaming, and Time Travel

Thu, 19 May 2022 15:13:17 +0000

Multiple bodies surface as drought lowers Lake Mead to unprecedented levels -- and locals seem sure more will be uncovered. Uhura prompts a conversation about lucid dreaming techniques. Chance hips the gang to the strange story of Paul Amadeus Dienach. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Nigeria's "Forest of Horror"

Wed, 18 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In 2014 a group of people looking for their missing coworker stumbled across a run-down building in Ibadan's Soka forest. While they didn't find their coworker, they did find a horrific scene: multiple body parts, personal possessions, decaying corpses, and people alive -- barely -- in chains. It appeared someone had been kidnapping and butchering innocents... but that's just the beginning of the story.

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CLASSIC: Ghosthunters: The Warrens

Tue, 17 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

For decades Ed and Lorraine Warren claimed to investigate paranormal phenomena, confronting the forces of darkness with the power of faith. They've inspired numerous films and become a part of American folklore -- so how much of their story is true?

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Strange News: Mysterious Deaths in the Bahamas, a Wicked Bible, A Supreme Court Leak

Mon, 16 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Three tourists were found dead at Bahamas resort, and a woman was also airlifted to Miami-area hospital. A copy of the infamous 'Wicked Bible' was just found in New Zealand. In an historically unprecedented leak, an anonymous source revealed what appears to be a US Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Wealthy People vs. Taxes

Fri, 13 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

It happens every year as tax season comes around in the US. Numerous media outlets publish excoriating investigations of wealthy corporations and individuals that, somehow, don't seem to be paying taxes. And the majority of American citizens believe the system is, in one way or another, broken. But what gives? Why are so many people convinced the wealthy conspire to avoid paying their taxes? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Union Edition

Thu, 12 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In this week's listener mail, the gang shares stories from Conspiracy Realists across the planet, each of whom weighs in with their own experiences regarding unions. Some love them, some hate them, some consider them a necessary evil -- and every story creates a new conversation.

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The Love Canal Tragedy

Wed, 11 May 2022 17:00:00 +0000

You may not have heard of Love Canal, but it remains one of the most disturbing environmental tragedies (and cover-ups) in US history. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into a real-life conspiracy that fundamentally changed how the country approaches the consequences of pollution. Tune in to learn how the Love Canal tragedy is partly true crime, partly parable, and partly a harbinger of future tragedies... possibly coming to a town near you.

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CLASSIC: Who was the Original Night Stalker?

Tue, 10 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

From 1979 to 1986, an unknown serial killer assaulted and murdered at least 10 people. As of 2016, he was still uncaught. So who was he? Is it possible to find the Original Night Stalker? Find out with Ben, Matt, and Noel in this classic episode.

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Strange News: Water Crisis, A Mysterious Death, Nationwide Food Supply Disasters

Mon, 09 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Across the country, a series of bizarre disasters -- from fires to outright plane crashes -- prompts public speculation that someone, somewhere, may be conspiring to destroy the US food supply. A woman is found dead after a run-in with a cop accused of corruption. A megadrought in the western US forces communities to consider some extreme decisions: water, or electricity? All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Serial Killers On The Loose: 2022, Part II

Fri, 06 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

It sounds like something straight out of a noir film -- an unidentified killer goes on a murder spree and vanishes, taunting the cops before disappearing. Unfortunately, this phenomenon isn't limited to the world of fiction. Learn more about murderers who remain on the loose in in the second part of this two-part update on serial killers who, as of today, seem to have escaped justice.

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CLASSIC: What are Jinn?

Thu, 05 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Forget everything you learned about 'genies' from Aladdin - tales of the Jinn, also called Djinn, are ancient and not at all as family-friendly as Disney might have you believe. So what are these mysterious creatures, exactly? Join the guys as they delve into the strange story of smokeless fire, parallel worlds and hidden, sentient life.

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Serial Killers On The Loose: 2022, Part I

Wed, 04 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

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CLASSIC: Money, Mystery and Millionaires: The Panama Papers

Tue, 03 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

You've probably heard of shell companies, tax havens and offshore trusts. But how common are they? How many people use these techniques as a way to squirrel away money from the prying eyes of taxpayers, governments and non-billionaires? What exactly did these Panama Papers reveal?

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Strange News: Russian Oligarchs are Endangered, Musk Buys Twitter and a Man Threatens Merriam-Webster

Mon, 02 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Deaths of 2 Russian oligarchs within 48 hours add to wave of executives found dead in ‘suspicious’ circumstances. Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter prompts a discussion about the nature of a privately-owned public sphere. A definition of 'girl' prompts one man to send internet death threats to the staff of Merriam-Webster. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Nazi Billionaires, with David de Jong

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In the days before and during World War II, German tycoons make billions off the horrors of the Third Reich -- and largely got away with profiting from those atrocities. In today's interview, Ben and Matt are joined with special guest, author and journalist David de Jong, who spent years researching the disturbing, hidden story of business dynasties that actively collaborated with Nazi powers and continue to profit from that relationship today.

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Listener Mail: Alien Pregnancy, What Happens to Your Medical Info, and the Corpsewood Manor Murders

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

An anonymous healthcare professional outlines the ways in which your own medical info may be used against you. S emails to follow up on vaccine questions and alien pregnancies. A caller asks for more information about the bizarre case of Georgia's Corpsewood Manor. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Strange Story of Ong’s Hat

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:45:00 +0000

The legend sounds like something out of The Twilight Zone. A group of renegade Ivy League scientists gather in secret, in a small, abandoned town, to conduct bizarre experiments... and they discover a path to an alternate universe. But where, exactly, did this legend come from? What's the line between fact and fiction? Tune in to learn more about Ong's Hat.

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CLASSIC: Missing in National Parks

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In 2015 alone more than 300 million people visited the US national park system. Some stayed for a few hours, others for a few days - and, occasionally, some never make it out. Join the guys as they take a closer look at the fact, fiction and conjecture surrounding disappearances in national parks.

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Strange News: Google Unblurs Russian Sites, Infowars Files Bankruptcy, Self-driving Car on the Lam

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Tech giant Google has reportedly unblurred several formerly secret Russian military sites on Google Maps. A self-driving car in San Francisco attempts to escape police. Long-running conspiracy site Infowars files bankruptcy as Alex Jones continues to fight Sandy Hook defamation charges in court. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Vampire Tunnels of Springfield, Missouri

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Every town has its own rumors, tall tales and legends, and Springfield, Missouri is no exception. This idyllic American city is home to US Highway 66, some great barbecue, a vast underground of tunnels -- and, allegedly, vampires. So how did this rumor start, exactly? Is there any truth to the stories? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Rampant Phishing Scams, Alternative Funeral Rites, Cannabis and the World of Dreams

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Samurai provides a heartbreaking experience with body brokers, prompting an exploration of unique, alternative funeral rites. Colonel Buffington describes phishing scams run amok. Jolly Green Giant calls in with an intriguing question about the effects of cannabis on human dreams. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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What’s the deal with tinfoil?

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays, almost everyone knows the trope of the tinfoil hat -- it's common in all sorts of fiction, often meant as visual shorthand to indicate the person wearing this hat is... weird. But how did something as mundane as tinfoil become associated with paranoia and conspiracy? In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel get to the bottom of this strange, strange story.

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CLASSIC: Beyond Flint: The Looming Lead Crisis

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 03:00:00 +0000

What's in the water in Flint? Did city officials really cover up a potentially deadly situation? Tune in as Ben, Matt and Noel look into the Stuff They Don't Want You to Know about the Flint water crisis.

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Strange News: Alien Pregnancies, COVID Scams, Fake Federal Agents

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 15:10:39 +0000

A report released by the Pentagon appears to indicate at least one witness in an alleged alien abduction believes she became pregnant as a result. Two mysterious men successfully faked being Federal agents. Over in Europe, one guy may have set the record for most vaccinations ever, as part of a vaccine card scam. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Lonnie Zamora Incident

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In April of 1964, a police officer in New Mexico named Lonnie Zamora halted a high speed chase when he saw something strange fall from the sky. As he got closer to the crash site, things became stranger and stranger -- he was convinced he'd seen something extraordinary. Soon after, the FBI, the Air Force, and the Army agreed with him. So what makes the Lonnie Zamora incident so famous in the world of UFOs? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: The Killenworth Mansion, the Strange Story of Marcus Hutchins, the Problem with Medical Implants

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Brett from Facebook hips the gang to the story of Marcus Hutchins, a hacker who singlehandedly saved the internet. Justin responds to Ben's earlier questions about the sticky -- and dangerous -- ethics of medical impants, especially when they become outdated. Talbot asks for more details about the mysterious, controversial Killenworth Mansion, currently functioning as a country house for the Russian government. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Union Busters, Part II: The Present and the Future

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

While they're not as common as they once were, labor unions are back in the news as employees of companies like Amazon, Starbucks and more choose to organize, pushing for better pay, more rights and so on. In part two of this two-part episode, Ben and Matt explore the present -- and future -- of unions and union busting.

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CLASSIC: The Fermi Paradox: Where the heck are all the aliens?

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Given the sheer size of the universe, it's overwhelmingly likely that some form of alien life exists - so where the heck are they? Tune in to this classic episode to learn more.

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Strange News: Russian War Crimes, Population Decline, the Rise of Male Birth Control

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:05:12 +0000

The US and multiple eyewitnesses state Russia is actively committing war crimes. The pandemic led to a baby bust, rather than a baby boom. The rise of male birth control seems on the horizon. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Union Busters, Part I: An Origin Story

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

While they're not as common as they once were, labor unions are back in the news as employees of companies like Amazon, Starbucks and more choose to organize, pushing for better pay, more rights and so on. In part one of this two-part episode, Ben and Matt explore the history of unions (which can themselves be conspiratorial)... as well as the powerful forces seeking to destroy unions, or prevent them from forming in the first place.

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Listener Mail: Eastman Explosions in Tennessee, The Dangers of Being Prepared, Hank's Episode Ideas

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

A recent mishap in Kingsport, Tennessee highlights a long history of brushes with industrial disaster. Riding around with a gas mask in Idaho just might land you a long interview with the FBI. Hank calls in with some fantastic show ideas. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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How many nukes are out there?

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

How many nuclear weapons exist? Since the days of the Manhattan Project, nuclear weaponry has redefined war -- and the global order. So how many nuclear weapons exist? The answer, it appears, is the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know.

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CLASSIC: Technology and the Occult

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode, the guys welcome returning special guest Damien Patrick Williams (aka @Wolven) as they explore the bizarre confluence of the occult and technology in the modern age, from AI oracles to the nature of consciousness, secret codes of cities and more.

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Strange News: Declassified UAP Report Released, An Odd Workplace 'Benefit,' and Gangs Infiltrate LA Law Enforcement

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Turns out UFOs are real. Declassified documents make Uncle Sam sound even shadier. A company attempts to alleviate workplace woes by giving all employees a specific sort of private time. Over in Los Angeles, California, average citizens wonder about gangs infiltrating law enforcement. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Body Brokers

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever known someone who donated their body to science? On paper, it's an extraordinarily noble act. Yet in the US, this form of donation is chock-full of Stuff They Don't Want You To Know. In this episode, the guys dive headlong into the tragic, often disgusting reality of what happens to people who consign their bodies to the greater good, only to be sold off piece by piece, monetized and exploited by an industry of folks collectively known as 'body brokers.' Trigger warning: this episode contains graphic descriptions of desecration, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

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Listener Mail: Trouble at the Post Office, the Center of the Universe, and the Halifax Toe Tickler

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Why do so many people have a problem with the current leader of the US Postal Service? What's it like to visit the Center of the Universe (the Tulsa version) firsthand? Will anyone ever catch the Halifax Toe Tickler? All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Return of Lucky Yates

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In today's grab-bag interview, the guys catch up with actor, comedian and returning guest Lucky Yates. Tune in as they explore conspiracies, catch up on the pandemic, and pose questions from the audience.

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CLASSIC: Alchemy | with Damien Patrick Williams

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

In today's classic episode, the gang joins forces with special guest Damien Patrick Williams (aka @Wolven) as they explore the origins of alchemy, as well as its strangest secrets, famous practitioners and effects on the modern day.

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Strange News: Bringing Brains Back From The Dead, Deep Fake Update, Benzene Is In Everything

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Scientists partially resurrect the brains of long-dead pigs, paving the way for potentially astonishing (and terrifying) breakthroughs in neuroscience. Hackers post a deepfake video that appears to show Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky surrendering. A comprehensive study finds incredibly dangerous chemicals in... just about every consumer beauty product you can imagine. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Back From the Dead: the Future of De-Extinction

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

As the world struggles through an ongoing mass extinction, scientists across the planet are getting closer and closer to bringing entire species back from the dead -- a process known as de-extinction. Inspired by an earlier episode on the thylacine, Ben and Matt dive into the fact, fiction, and surprising controversy surrounding the idea of bringing mammoths, Tasmanian tigers, and other extinct creatures back into the world, even as the creatures who live here now continue to die off at alarming rates.

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Listener Mail: The Government's 'Secret Internet,' Night Drones, Sonic Booms and Sky Trumpets

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:30:00 +0000

Does the US government have a secret internet? Who's out there flying drones at night? How can we explain sonic booms and sky trumpets? All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Hunt For the Tasmanian Tiger

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

The last known thylacines, or Tasmanian tigers, passed away in captivity in the 1930s. Yet ever since that time, people in Tasmania and the Australian mainland have reported seeing these distinct, doglike marsupials in the wild. Why do so many people seem certain the thylacine never went extinct? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: Flat Earth Update

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:30:00 +0000

In ancient days civilizations across the world believed Earth was some sort of plane, a flat space in the absolute center of the universe. In recent days some celebrities have revived the concept, alleging a vast conspiracy exists. Is this a genuine belief or a marketing ploy?

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Strange News: De-Extinction, AI Avatars in Politics, and Digging the World's Deepest Hole

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Humanity is closer than ever before to bringing back extinct species, from the mammoth to the dodo and the Tasmanian Tiger. In South Korea, the President-elect made waves by openly using an AI avatar to reach voters. One private company thinks they have the solution to the world's ongoing energy issues -- digging the world's deepest hole. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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CLASSIC: The Rise of the Superbug

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

It's true - scientists around the world are increasingly concerned that antibiotics are losing their effectiveness, leading to a future filled with unstoppable bacteria. But could it actually happen? How did we get here, and what happens next?

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Listener Mail: The Center of the Universe, The Fraud Triangle, and the Tricky Business of Counting Nukes

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

What's going on at the Center of the Universe in Tulsa, OK? How does the fraud triangle help us understand when people are likely to commit crime? What makes counting nuclear weapons so tricky? All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Future of Digital ID

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Most people can agree that identification is important. But what happens when you have a single ID for everything? And not just a physical ID, but an intangible, virtual one -- a form of identification that follows you wherever you go. In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore the convenience, the controversy, and the dangers of a unified digital ID system.

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CLASSIC: Cattle Mutilation

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Are nefarious forces really moving through ranches in the night, mutilating livestock? How? Why?

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Strange News: Stolen Heads, a Mysterious Z, and a Broken Stone in Japan May Have Just Released a Demon

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:08:09 +0000

Someone has stolen a box of human heads from Denver's Central Park. Speculation grows regarding the 'Z' worn by supporters of the Russian invasion. Over in Japan, some locals worry that damage to an ancient 'Killing Stone' may be an ill omen for dangerous supernatural events on the horizon. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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What is SWIFT?

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:00:00 +0000

In today's globally-connected financial system, it's pretty easy to send money from one place to the next, across most of the planet -- and that's all thanks to a system called the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, or SWIFT. Many people outside of the world of finance only heard about SWIFT recently, when the US and Europe declared they'd remove Russian banks' ability to access the system. What does that mean, exactly? Why was it described as a 'nuclear' option in economic warfare? And why did some European countries hesitate to pull the plug?

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Listener Mail: Red Summer, Solving the Sonic Boom Story, and the Gang Gets into Elden Ring

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 16:16:20 +0000

Ben, Matt and Doc Holliday plan escapades on Elden Ring. K writes in with reliable information about the Sonic Boom described in a previous show. A letter from Anthony prompts a discussion about the terrifying Red Summer of 1919. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Russia and Ukraine: The Long Road to War

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

When Russian forces recently invaded Ukraine, many members of the public seemed taken by surprise. But for the people of Ukraine and others living in the region, this conflict was brewing for a long, long time. In the first of several episodes on the war, the guys explore the deep historical context behind Russia's invasion -- as well as the bizarre Russian conspiracy theories espoused by Vladimir Putin.

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CLASSIC: Why You Can't Win Arguments Online

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:30:00 +0000

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Strange News: Tin Foil Hats Make a Comeback, Marines Busted in Human Trafficking Ring, Life Really Does Flash Before Your Eyes at Death

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A group of Marines has been convicted of participating in a long-running human trafficking scheme. Terrified by the possibility of government-induced sickness, some protestors have resorted to donning tinfoil hats to exposure to nebulous 'rays.' A new study suggests our lives may actually flash before our eyes when we die. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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What is Acquired Savant Syndrome?

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

For most people, learning any skill is a long, at-times challenging journey. Humans struggle to acquire expertise and, after attaining it, they must regularly use this knowledge or risk losing it. But what if you woke up one day, after an injury, to find you suddenly understood a certain skill? What if you never needed to practice? What if you just 'got' math or music? Tune in to learn more about acquired savant syndrome.

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Listener Mail: Did Walmart Smuggle Explosives? Did Woody Harrelson's Dad Shoot JFK? What is The Brook?

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Honey Badger relates a story of international explosives smuggling, possibly involving one of the world's largest retail chains. Anonymous calls in after receiving a mysterious book about a club called The Brook. K shares one of Ben's favorite stories from the world of JFK conspiracy lore -- the long-standing allegations that actor Woody Harrelson's father was involved in the Kennedy assassination. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Neuralink: Putting the Cloud in Your Head

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

What if, one day, you no longer needed your hands to interact with computers? What if you didn't need to type anything to access the cloud? These are just a few of the potential uses of future implant technology, the most well-known of which is called the Neuralink. In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore the ins and outs of the system as it is today... along with the amazing (and terrifying) potential future of brain implants.

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CLASSIC: What is Gnosticism?

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Gnosticism may be one of the oldest conspiracy theories in human civilization - but what is it, exactly? Join Ben, Matt, Noel and special guest Joe McCormick as they take a closer look at Gnostic mysteries, myth and more.

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Strange News: Credit Suisse Leak, a Counterprotest Song, and Living at Disney FOREVER

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 18:30:00 +0000

A massive leak reveals the secret owners of £80bn held in a Swiss bank. A raunchy counterprotest song goes viral. Out in California, Disney wants you to make the move from storytelling to Storyliving, the new, planned community where everything is run by Disney... and we mean darn near everything. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Strange History of Rocky Flats

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Today, the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is free and open to the public. It's located outside of Denver, Colorado on a windy, picturesque plateau. However, this unassuming site has a long -- and controversial -- past, one with disturbing nuclear incidents. Critics claim the government is actively covering up the full extent of the danger. Why? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Sonic Booms, Metaverse Time Travel, and Critical Race Theory

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:50:00 +0000

Big Boy shares a strange tale of sonic booms over New Mexico. Chip explores the idea of time travel via the metaverse. Lionel Putz wonders why honest examinations of US history have become so controversial. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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What are Sanctions?

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

You've heard of sanctions before -- the term pops up pretty often in international news. Country A does something Country B finds objectionable, but neither country wants to be embroiled in a full-scale hot war, so they have to find some other way to change their opponent's behavior. This is where sanctions come into play. In today's episode, the guys explore the ins and outs of sanctions -- as well as why critics think sanctions don't always work as intended.

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CLASSIC: Porter Ranch: Fossil Fuel Cover-ups

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 16:30:00 +0000

There's no two ways about it: oil spills and gas leaks are disastrous, causing massive amounts of ecological damage in a matter of days or hours. So how many occur each year? How many are actually reported, versus covered up? Listen in to learn more.

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Strange News: Wordle Saves Lives, Cybercrime, and Qanon Hates Butterflies

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0000

An elderly woman may well owe her survival to Wordle. Another recent Bitcoin scam is called the 'heist of the century.' Over in Texas, Qanon has found a new target... a non-profit butterfly center. Find out why in this week's Strange News.

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Does junk food target children?

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

While it may not be especially great for you, there's no denying that junk food is delicious. Nowadays, all the salty, fatty, sweet and savory stuff humans evolved to covet is both cheap and easy to access -- your brain is hardwired to seek those sensations out. Most adults understand the importance of moderation when it comes to junk food, but what about the kids? In today's episode, the guys explore the ins and outs of exactly how junk food manufacturers target children.

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Listener Mail: Mysterious Fishing Club, Terrorism in the Metaverse, Trouble in Ottawa

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Smitty relates a strange childhood story from his time growing up near the Pisgah National Forest. Kyle notes the metaverse offers tremendous potential for terrorists. Canadian trooper calls in to ask about media bias in reporting around the current protests in Ottawa. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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What is ecoterrorism?

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Most people can agree the proverbial writing is on the wall: Earth's climate is in trouble, and its degradation will have profound consequences of later generations. However, no one seems to have figured out what to do about the problem, and multiple groups have grown tired of sticking to legal means of fighting for the environment. To some, these groups acting outside the law are heroes. To others, they're ecoterrorists.

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CLASSIC: Ghosts and Infrasound

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

While humanity has yet to generate any universally-accepted proof of ghosts or hauntings, millions of people around the world report seeing apparitions or experiencing ghostly encounters every year (and sometimes these events cluster around specific areas). Why? Is there any possible explanation for the purported appearance of ghosts?

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Strange News: China Censorship, Robots on the Border, One Guy Hacks North Korea

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:30:00 +0000

In a rare decision, China reverses an earlier act of censorship. Those dogbots Ben and Matt are so concerned about are deployed on the US-Mexico border. One anonymous hacker claims he, in a fit of resentment, single-handedly took down the DPRK's internet. Plus Build-A-Bear goes... sexy? All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Project Azorian, or: the CIA Steals A Submarine

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

When the USSR lost a powerful submarine, the US scrambled to make the most of a grisly opportunity. In today's episode, the guys explore the strange series of events that led Uncle Sam to, in secret, heist a submarine -- prompting questions that remain unanswered in the modern day.

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Listener Mail: Grandfathers on America's Most Wanted, North Korean Museums, and... is Facebook in your head?

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A listener learns their grandfather was on America's Most Wanted. Will shares his adventures at museums in North Korea and Tehran. Anon calls in to relate her own spooky experience with Facebook somehow knowing her thoughts, and selling ads off them -- without her speaking into a microphone or Googling anything. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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CLASSIC: Does the UK control the US?

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

What if the Revolutionary War didn't happen the way it's described in textbooks? Tune in and learn why some people believe the UK still controls the US in this special collaboration with our friends at AllTime Conspiracies.

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CLASSIC: Congress 101

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that voters distrust Washington, D.C. In numerous polls, citizens of every political overwhelmingly disapprove of Congress. But why? What's the source of this distrust and, perhaps most importantly, is there something Congress doesn't want you to know?

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Strange News: Cartels in Your Produce Aisle, Explosions in Sacramento, Celebrity NFTs

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Authorities have made an arrest related to multiple suspicious explosions in Sacramento. Celebrities are officially in the NFT game. And while cartels may make you think of guns and drugs, they're also branching out into a number of other industries. In fact, their latest conspiracy is centered on -- true story -- avocados and limes. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Should We Fear the Metaverse?

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Facebook recently made waves in the press when it announced plans to create a more immersive online experience, something it described as the 'metaverse.' Facebook even changed its name to 'Meta' as part of this initiative. But what exactly is the metaverse? That depends on who you ask. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel look at the facts, fiction and controversy surrounding the rise of the metaverse. (Update from Ben - just a few days after we recorded this, Facebook stock tanked. Maybe the market agrees with us?)

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Listener Mail: What is the Oculus Temple? Parents in the CIA, and more on New Brunswick

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:06:40 +0000

An anonymous caller wants more people to know the bizarre story of the Oculus Temple. Mr. Tin Mouse recounts how he discovered his father worked for The Company. Lady Ferox reaches out with more details on the mysterious disease surfacing in New Brunswick. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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Presidents and Substance Abuse

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that being President is a stressful job (to say the least). A sizable amount of the domestic population will hate you regardless of what you do in office, and various groups around the world will actively hope you die. So how do these incredibly stressed individuals blow off steam? In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange story of Presidents and substance abuse.

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CLASSIC: The EPA

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is tasked with safeguarding the country and its citizens from environmental harm. But how well is the agency actually doing at this incredibly important job? Join Matt, Ben and Noel as they explore the facts and fiction behind the EPA.

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Strange News: Big Brother in Your Car, Cloning Pets, Georgia Imprisonment

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A short passage buried in recent legislation will require all automakers to introduce extreme surveillance equipment in new vehicles -- but the details are troublingly, disturbingly vague. You can now clone a pet, and instagrammers are all about it. A Georgia pastor is in hot water after authorities found several people locked in his basement. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Strange Story of Secret Museums

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Who doesn't love a good museum? In these repositories of art, history, the natural world and so on, human beings can connect with the past, discover inspiration, and learn more about the world around us. With this in mind, it may surprise you to learn some museums are off-limits. They're real, they're open, and there's almost no chance you will ever get inside.

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Listener Mail: Secrets of Predictive Analytics, Train Robberies and Havana Syndrome

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Listeners respond to an earlier episode exploring the controversy of the Havana syndrome. Organized crime rings are robbing Union Pacific trains with apparent impunity. An anonymous listener writes in with proven, detailed, and deeply disturbing information about predictive analysis in the world of child services and the justice system.

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Gangsters of Capitalism, with Jonathan Katz

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

When retired Marine General Smedley Butler told Congress a group of wealthy business tycoons were scheming to overthrow the U.S. government, people weren't sure what to make of him. Over the course of his life, Butler had been called a war hero, an activist, a monster and a crackpot. What was this so-called Business Plot, and why was Butler blowing the whistle? Were any of his accusations true? In today's episode, the guys join investigative journalist Jonathan Katz, author of Gangsters of Capitalism, to learn more about Butler's life, his controversial career, and a shocking allegation of conspiracy that, if true, could have ended democracy in the United States.

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CLASSIC: The Future of Poverty

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

The World Bank stated that climate change may push more than 100 million people into poverty by 2030, and innovations in robotics may eliminate the need for millions of human workers. But how much of this is alarmism, and how much is inescapable fact? Find out in this classic episode.

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Strange News: 5G may Ground Planes, Suspicious Deaths in Pakistan, CROWS AND LASERS

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Major US airlines warn the government that an upcoming 5G rollout could lead to disaster. A medical school in Pakistan is under fire after a string of mysterious deaths are ruled suicides. Crows have taken over Sunnyvale, California -- and, after trying every reasonable dispersal strategy, the increasingly desperate city authorities are turning to lasers. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Why do CEOs make so much money?

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's long been common knowledge that people at the top of an organization will make more money than people at the bottom. But many folks don't seem aware of just how extreme the situation has become -- while wages have stagnated for many Americans, CEO pay has skyrocketed. For some, this is just a natural aspect of the business world, but for a growing number of critics it indicates serious trouble on the horizon.

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Listener Mail: Rocky Mountain Flats Nuclear Site, Fire in the Sky, Hazards of Retail

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Why don't more people know about the Rocky Mountain Flats Nuclear Site? Can listeners help the guys figure out what caused a mysterious explosion at the US Navy boot camp in 1999? From deep in the depths of Amazon, an anonymous employee reaches out with information on the world of Amazon -- and the hazards of working in retail in general. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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CLASSIC: Nightmares, Shadow People and Sleep Paralysis

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

What's the most intense nightmare you've ever had? Have you ever felt trapped in one? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the phenomenon known as sleep paralysis.

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Strange News: Mysterious Deaths, Farts, Chimera and Theseus

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A mysterious illness plagues New Brunswick. An internet celebrity sells NFTs and farts. The first full transplant of a pig heart into a living human prompts international legal and philosophical concerns. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Decades after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a vast swathe of the American public still doesn't buy the government's official conclusion. Why? In today's show, the guys sit down with Bill Klaber, the creator and host of The MLK Tapes, to get a deeper understanding of the allegations of conspiracy that continue to surround the life and death of Dr. King.

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Havana Syndrome. Part II: Global Controversy

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

The story started in 2016, when US and Canadian embassy staff in Havana began reporting mysterious medical symptoms -- headaches, vertigo, strange sounds and more. As time went on, more employees in other embassies started reporting similar experiences, causing international concern. But what was actually happening? Was this the result of widespread panic? A side-effect of arcane spying equipment? Something else? Tune in to learn more about the controversy that continues today.

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CLASSIC: Serial Killers on the Loose

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

TV, film and fiction have given the public a set of stereotypes about serial killers -- one of the biggest being that they always get caught. Join Ben, Matt, Noel and special guest Christian Sager as they explore the disturbing stories of uncaught serial killers in the second episode of their series on true crime.

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Robots in Court: China's AI Prosecutor

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:10:00 +0000

Most people agree that no system of justice is, in practice, perfect -- courts are often backed up with cases, officials are overworked, and human bias all too often affects a verdict. The government of China may have a new solution to some of these issues: artificial intelligence. But how far does the system go? Why are some critics concerned this technology may be dangerous?

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CLASSIC: What is the Highway of Tears?

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

For decades women have been abducted, murdered and forgotten along an isolated stretch of Canadian highway. Join the guys and special guest CarStuff's Scott Benjamin as they explore the terrifying history - and disturbing future - of Canada's serial killer hunting ground.

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CLASSIC: Superstars and Satan: Music and the Occult

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 16:23:40 +0000

Why have rumors of dark arts so often dogged musicians? Have any of the rock stars of yesteryear ever actually believed they contacted the underworld? Join Ben, Noel and Matt as they explore the murky relationship between music and the occult.

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Workplace Surveillance

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Of course your bosses keep tabs on you -- it's an old idea, and not, in itself, a sinister thing. Yet critics allege the rise of continually connected technology, combined with a pandemic forcing millions to work from their homes, triggered a dangerous explosion in the scope of workplace surveillance. Tune in to learn how much your employer can potentially know about you -- and why they may know you're listening to this show, right now.

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Listener Mail: Fake Towns, Foster Care and: What the heck is the national debt?

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Are there really entire towns created as 'decoys'? Why are parents being billed for foster care? What exactly is the national debt, and how is it different from an individual's debt? All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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The War on Drugs, with Ethan Nadelmann

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that the War on Drugs is controversial -- and millions of people have found themselves on the wrong side of often draconian drug laws. In today's episode, Ben and Matt are joined with Ethan Nadelmann, the founder of the Drug Policy Alliance and creator of Psychoactive, to learn more about the past, present, and -- most importantly -- future of drug policy in the US.

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CLASSIC: Did Osama Bin Laden really die in 2011?

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

When US forces finally tracked down terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden -- living in Pakistan, likely with support of the ISI -- he was killed and, according to the official story, buried at sea. So why doesn't everyone believe this is true? When did Osama Bin Laden actually die?

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Strange News: Blowing Up Teslas and Posting Tweets with the Power of Thought

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0000

A disgruntled Tesla owner blows up his car rather than paying thousands of dollars for a new battery. In an equally explosive development, technology allows a paralyzed man to post a tweet... simply by thinking about it. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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CLASSIC: Prophecy, Predictions and Prescience

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Nostradamus. Edgar Cayce. Baba Vanga. Have any of history's alleged psychics successfully predicted the future? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as look at humanity's efforts to predict the future, from ancient oracles to the bleeding edge of science.

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Listener Mail: The New Silk Road, Near Death Experiences, and Strange AM Signals

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 16:12:31 +0000

What exactly is China doing on the African continent? How can we best interpret near-death experiences? Why did one listener happen to come across a ghostly episode of Stuff They Don't Want You To Know on the radio? All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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CLASSIC: Big Pharma: Conspiracies and Cover-ups

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Big Pharma gets a bad name in the press, and the actions of multinational pharmaceutical companies are often the subject of various conspiracies – but are any of the allegations true? Learn more about theories behind political corruption, tainted medicine and more.

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CLASSIC: Petrodollar 101

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 15:54:00 +0000

When oil is traded in US cash, the currency is called a petrodollar. It's a fundamental part of international trade -- but it's also a continual source of conspiratorial allegations. Join Matt and Ben as they explore the fact and fiction surrounding the petrodollar.

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Strange News: Amazon and Phones, Poisoning an Island of Mice, and the Future of Breathing Through Your Butt

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 18:47:00 +0000

In the wake of disaster, Amazon employees petition to keep their phones with them as they work. Biologists conclude mass poisoning is the best way to combat an island's invasive population of mice. Scientists are, apparently not for the first time, making some pretty serious breakthroughs in the art of getting pigs to breathe through their rectums -- and these scientists are wondering if, one day, humans could breathe the same way.

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The Doris Duke Case, with Peter Lance: Part 2

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Newport law enforcement seemed anxious to cover up the true story of Eduardo Tirella's death, but Tirella's family -- as well as residents of Newport -- refused to forget the story. In the second part of this two-part episode, journalist Peter Lance explains what happened in the aftermath of his new investigation into the death, as well as his earlier investigations into other cold cases across the course of his career.

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Listener Mail: Creepy Dolls, Tornado Cash, and Sears in the Arms Trade

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Tall Pockets hips the guys to a creepy doll named My Friend Cayla. Trusty Otter explores the potential dangers of Tornado Cash. Dark Sky asks for more information about that time Sears got involved in the global arms trade. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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The Doris Duke Case, with Peter Lance: Part 1

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Did billionaire heiress and socialite Doris Duke get away with murder in 1966? In the first part of this week's two-part episode, the guys join award-winning investigative journalist Peter Lance to explore what led him to dive into this decades-old cold case -- and learn how his discoveries led to a new investigation in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: What happens when we die?

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Death - the most mysterious, unknowable, and terrifying event in human experience. Some philosophers believe society is shaped, ultimately, by the fear of death. So what actually happens when you die? Is there anything after? Learn more in this classic episode.

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Strange News: Australian DNA Profiling, NY Listening In to Prison Calls, and AI is Building Super Guns

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Australian police plan to use DNA sequencing to predict a suspect's physical appearance. In New York it appears someone is secretly listening to prisoners' phone calls. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence have resulted in new discoveries in the field of mathematics... at the same time that AI is also making stunning, disturbing breakthroughs in weapon design. All this and more in this week's Strange News,

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The Rise of Memetic Warfare

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

If you're like most people, you've interacted with a countless number of memes -- screenshots, gifs, classic pop culture moments in film and so on. While society often regards these ephemeral units of information as little more than a passing fad, it turns out memes have enormous potential. They can influence thought and behavior. They can become weapons of war.

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Listener Mail: Reincarnation, Fairy Tales, and Memes as Lifeforms

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Why was Gandhi convinced one woman had truly been reincarnated? Are memes actually alive? What's going on at the Steelcase Pyramid? All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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People Knew Asbestos Was Terrible Since 1930

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:20:00 +0000

Today, most people associate asbestos with health risks, expensive removal operations and specific forms of cancer. However, for much of human history this substance was thought to be miraculous -- a perfect, fire-resistant additive to everything from cement to household products and toys. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the tragic, multigenerational story of a sweeping cover-up -- one with consequences that still affect us in the modern day.

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CLASSIC: The Monster with 21 Faces

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

In the 1980s, a mysterious organization terrorized candy companies in Japan - then disappeared. What was the Monster with 21 Faces, and what happened to it? Are any members alive today?

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Strange News: China Hunts Lunar Mystery Object, Earth's Black Box, Hawaii's Poisoned Water

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Honolulu's Board of Water Supply shuts down Oahu's largest water source when a fuel leak contaminates drinking water. China's lunar drone is approaching a mysterious object on the moon's surface -- experts aren't yet sure what it is. Scientists are building a 'black box' for humanity in Tasmania, meant to document the events leading to the decline of current civilization. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Listener Mail: Doris Duke, the AMIA Bombing and a Death in Groom Lake

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 00:33:09 +0000

Did Doris Duke get away with murder? Who was really behind the 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina? What led to the death of General Bond in Groom Lake, and why did the US try to keep it a secret? Tune in for all this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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The Art of Money Laundering

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Who can put a price on art? Every year, anonymous buyers and sellers across the planet move works of fine art for millions of dollars, with no questions asked. It's a playground of the well-off -- and, it turns out, one of the best places in the world to launder dirty money. In today's episode, Ben and Matt dive into the conspiracy surrounding fine art and money laundering

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The Legend of the Thunderbird

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

For millennia, indigenous communities in North America and other parts of the world told stories of a gigantic, predatory bird with the ability to alter the weather, punish the wicked, and sometimes aid the righteous. In the modern day, most people consider these bits of folklore to be just that -- legends and myths. But could the story of the Thunderbird be based on some grain of truth? Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: Unsolved - Tamam Shud

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

On December 1st, 1948, Somerton beachgoers discovered a well-dressed, anonymous corpse. More than 50 years later, investigators still aren't sure what happened.

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Strange News: The Pentagon Doubles Down on Aliens, QAnon Still Waiting For Prophecies, Havana Syndrome Update

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

On the heels of a recent report on UFOs (or UAPs), the Pentagon officially announces plans for a new, acronym-littered initiative to investigate mysterious things in the sky. QAnon supporters continue to wait for revelations in Dallas. The CIA director warns Russias spies that there will be consequences if it turns out they are responsible for the rash of 'Havana syndrome' incidents occurring across the globe. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Astroworld Disaster

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Houston authorities knew Travis Scott's annual Astroworld festival was going to be a huge deal, and spent a great deal of time planning for any possible contingency. However, this planning wasn't able to prevent tragic deaths and multiple injuries as the crowd descended into pandemonium. And, even before the dust settled, thousands of people began circulating strange claims on social media, arguing that this was not actually a concert, but, instead, a massive occult sacrifice. So what exactly happened, and why are so many people making these claims?

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Listener Mail: Past Life Memories, Predicting the Future through Dreams, Stories of Spycraft

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:59:16 +0000

A listener relates the strange story of a name that came to him during an intense hallucination. Listeners ask whether anyone else has felt they've predicted the future via their dreams. A caller relates several funny (and occasionally dangerous) stories of real-life spycraft. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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A World Without Plastic

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000

If you look around, how much plastic can you see? The answer might surprise you. Current civilization runs on plastic -- it's in everything from the depths of the ocean to the heights of Mount Everest, and it will remain long after we are gone. In today's episode, the guys ask: Can humanity end its addiction to this miracle material? What would the planet look like without plastic?

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CLASSIC: Capital Conspiracies: Washington, DC

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that DC is home to numerous conspiracy theories -- but how many are true?

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Strange News: Crowdsourced Looting, Dumb Passwords, and the US as a 'Backsliding' Democracy

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

An NGO called the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance has classified the United States as a backsliding democracy. A list of popular passwords may indicate people are increasingly less cautious than they should be. Multiple cities are falling prey to crowdsourced looting, thought to be coordinated in advance via social media. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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CLASSIC: Can hallucinogens cure addiction?

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Each year, the horrors of addiction claim thousands of lives -- but what if some substances can break the cycle of drug abuse? Join Ben and Matt to learn more about hallucinogens and addiction.

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Listener Mail: The Knox Mine Disaster, Lucid Dreaming and a Mysterious Lab in Idaho

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 16:07:27 +0000

Anvil Alf relates his experience with lucid dreams. A caller asks for more information about the Knox Mine disaster. Skippy wants to know what exactly is going on over at the Idaho National Laboratory. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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CLASSIC: What's Beneath the Antarctic Ice?

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Antarctica is one of the most mysterious places on the planet. If the ice melted, what would we find beneath? Find out in this classic episode.

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CLASSIC: Shills 101: Online Manipulators and You

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

The digital age has revolutionized propaganda - how can you really know who's writing what online (and why)? Join the guys and special guest Joe McCormick as they explore the future of online manipulation.

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Strange News: Your Job is Stalking You, Vigilantes Fight Crypto Scams, and AI Makes Sex Tapes

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:20:30 +0000

As millions of people continue to work from home, experts raise concerns about a new era of pervasive surveillance by employers. As net-based crypto scams continue to proliferate, digital vigilantes fight back to expose the criminals involved. An enterprising artist feeds thousands of hours of pornography into a neural network to learn -- for better or worse -- what kind of sexual content generative AI can create (hint: it's... weird). All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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CLASSIC: How World War III Might Start

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Pundits have predicted the beginning of WWIII since, essentially, the end of the last World War. But could it really happen? How?

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Listener Mail: Haunted Pianos, LED Lights, Astroworld and the Shadiest Church's Chicken

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 03:22:43 +0000

ZZZ asks for more details about Astroworld. Starlight calls in with questions about LEDs and planned obsolescence. ChickenGuy prompts an investigation into the bizarre story of a Church's Chicken that, according to official sources, doesn't actually exist. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Listener Mail: The Voicemail Edition

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 17:23:15 +0000

What is a Vardøger? Why does the CIA so desperately need electricians? In this special edition of listener mail, the guys dive into phone calls on everything from sleep paralysis to the devil's lettuce and more.

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CLASSIC: What is Qi?

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

We hear about this mysterious force all the time in fiction and film -- but what is it actually supposed to be? Is there any evidence that it might be real?

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Strange News: Virgin Condor Births, Ethical AI, Facebook and Facial Recognition

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 16:13:20 +0000

Scientists discover that the endangered California Condor is capable of producing offspring without the presence of male condors, prompting troubling questions for the future. A new AI program crowdsourcing ethical quandaries provides surprising answers to humans. Facebook promises to close down its facial recognition system, deleting billions of faceprints. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The JFK Episode, Part Two: Down the Rabbithole

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:10:00 +0000

In the second part of our deep dive into the assassination of John F. Kennedy, we examine some of the more plausible theories of what really happened on that fateful day in 1963.

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Listener Mail: Memes and War, Recurring Dreams and Blue-blocking Cosmetics

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:07:18 +0000

Anne asks for more information about the weird world of memetic warfare. Voodoo shares a strange story about a recurring dream that just might have predicted some events in the waking world. Bronze Ranked Boomer wonders about the efficacy of blue-blocking cosmetics. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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The JFK Episode, Part One: The 'Official' Story

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 16:28:57 +0000

Almost 60 years have passed since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. A 1992 law mandated all records of the assassination be made public. In 2017, many documents were released — but not all of them. What doesn’t the government want us to know about JFK’s death?

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CLASSIC: What is "Skinwalker Ranch"?

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Is there really a secret hotspot of paranormal and UFO activity just southeast of Ballard, Utah? Join Ben and Matt as they explore the fact (and fiction) surrounding the bizarre Sherman Ranch.

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Strange News: Someone Stole a House, A Joker Attempts Mass Murder, Soon We May Talk To Whales

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

A man in Luton learns his identity was stolen -- and someone sold his house. In Shinjuku, a man dressed as the Joker unsuccessfully attempts mass murder. Despite Project CETI's puntastic name, AI may genuinely allow human beings to speak with sperm whales -- and no one knows what they'll say (perhaps "so long, and thanks for all the fish"). All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Cults: Indoctrination and Escape

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

When most people hear the word "cult," they immediately think of people like Charles Manson, or any number of controversial organizations strewn across the planet -- but what exactly makes something a cult? How do cultic groups acquire new members, and what can we do to help a loved one steer clear of this manipulation? In today's interview the guys join Liz Iacuzzi and Tyler Measom, the creators and hosts of the new Was I In A Cult?, to learn more about how cults work, how people find themselves involved, and -- most importantly -- how they get out.

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Listener Mail: Gerald Cotten, Lucid Dreaming and Ghost Stories

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 22:02:16 +0000

What actually happened to Bitcoin tycoon Gerald Cotten, and why do some people believe he faked his death? Could there be a relationship between lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis? Ben closes out the world of ghost stories with one last collection of tales from around the world. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Crypto, Crime and Conspiracy: The Death of Gerald Cotten

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

At the height of its success, Canada's QuadrigaCX was the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the country, perfectly positioned to ride the booming mainstream interest in Bitcoin and altcoins. On the backend, the operation was largely run by a single man: Gerald William Cotten. Yet there was more to the story; facts that, once revealed, indicated Quadriga was a Ponzi scheme. As the authorities closed in, Cotten took a trip to India in Decamber of 2018, where he suddenly passed away, taking with him access to millions of dollars in crypto. At least, that's the official narrative -- you see, many people seem convinced, to this day, that Gerald Cotten never actually died.

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CLASSIC: What is media manipulation?

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

How often do you think news outlets bury, skip or distort an important story? The answers -- or, at least, the accusations -- might surprise you.

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Strange News: JFK, Crypto Scams and the Arrest of a Robot Artist

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The US once again declines to declassify documents related to the JFK assassination, citing fears of 'identifiable harm.' Scammers get away with an audacious crypto-related heist using a fake food delivery service. Robot artist Ai-Da is detained by Egyptian authorities at the border. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Flame Witches and the Will O’The Wisp

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Have you ever followed a ghostly light into the woods? For many, it sounds like a story straight out of the world of folklore -- yet these strange lights have been reported across the world. In Mexico, they're sometimes considered evidence of witchcraft. So what exactly are these things? Tune in to learn more.

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Listener Mail: Ghost Stories, Santa Claus and the New Chronology

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 15:24:45 +0000

What if part of known history never actually happened? What can Santa teach us about the power of language in folklore? Multiple Conspiracy Realists write in with their own otherworldly, sometimes disturbing experiences. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Is 'witchcraft' on the rise?

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays, the word 'witch' conjures a few common images for most people: a crone, clad in all black, perhaps wearing a pointed hat, astride a broomstick in the dark of night. However, this image is more than a little misleading, and even people who wouldn't identify themselves as witches may participate in traditions and practices that come from belief systems generally regarded as occult -- so what exactly is 'witchcraft,' and why does it appear, in the modern day, to be on the rise?

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CLASSIC: Who killed Robert Kennedy?

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Assassins murdered President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Five years later, his brother Robert was assassinated. Coincidence? On the anniversary of RFK's murder, Ben, Matt and Noel take a closer look at the events surrounding the tragedy.

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Strange News: Robo-dog Snipers, New Zealand Just Fired Their Wizard

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 15:22:04 +0000

New Zealand has officially fired its state wizard after the 88 year-old made a series of controversial comments that finally crossed the line. Over in the US, critics are both vindicated and disturbed by the recent development in unmanned warfare -- quadrupedal bots are being fitted with sniper rifles, and they may be out in the wild sooner that you think. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Spies and Spying Part II: The Present and the Future

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 19:49:25 +0000

How do people become spies -- and why do some people end spying against their will? In the second part of this two-part series, Ben and Matt dive into the present state of spying, along with the troubling trends looming on the horizon.

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Listener Mail: Planned Obsolescence, the Cow Urine Surplus and Ghosts

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 15:42:14 +0000

A caller asks for more information about the infamous Phoebus cartel. Road Dog asks about what people are supposed to do with all that urine collected from potty-trained cows. Mario, Schneider and Kevin write in with their own strange, disturbing stories. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Spies and Spying Part I: The Past and Present

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Most people know the life of a real-life spy bears little resemblance to the stories of fictional agents like James Bond -- but what exactly is spying? In the first part of this two-part series, the guys explore the world of tradecraft from the ancient past to the modern day.

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CLASSIC: The Deep Web With Alex Winter

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

What's the future of online privacy? Filmmaker Alex Winter joins Matt and Ben to talk about his new documentary "Deep Web", following the story of the infamous Silk Road and its creator, Ross Ulbricht.

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Strange News: Spies and Sandwiches, a Principal's T-shirt, NY Gasses the Subway

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 15:08:59 +0000

A would-by spy is caught by the FBI, attempting to trade nuclear secrets for cryptocurrency via a peanut butter sandwich. A Canadian principal sparks controversy with her Iron Maiden t-shirt. New York announces plans to gas the subways as a way to learn more about how bioweapons might disperse underground. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Death of Leah Freeman

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 20:27:16 +0000

15-year-old Leah Freeman's body was discovered near her hometown of Coquille, Oregon, in 2000, and her former high school boyfriend Nick McGuffin was convicted of the murder. However, a reexamination of the case uncovered new evidence that ultimately led to McGuffin being released to prison -- and raising a new, disturbing question: Who actually murdered Leah Freeman?

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Listener Mail: Mysterious Handprints, the death of Winston Smith, Ghost Stories

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:45:00 +0000

Nick asks his fellow Conspiracy Realists for help explaining mysterious handprints. Becky asks why more people aren't talking about the death of Winston Smith. Ben continues his obsession with your ghost stories, and, in a rare personal moment, shares the story of a bizarre encounter somewhere in the rural Gulf Coast. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Luxottica: One Sunglass Company to Rule Them All?

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Sunglasses are enormously popular these days, and even prescription spectacles have evolved into fashion accessories -- people routinely spend hundreds of dollars in efforts to either look cool, be able to see, or both. So what happens when a single company controls the market? This is the accusation critics levy against manufacturing giant EssilorLuxottica. Today's question: how much of this is true?

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CLASSIC: Is there a real-life warp drive?

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The news about the so-called "EM Drive" was all over the headlines in 2015... but was it true? Join Matt and Ben to learn more in this classic episode.

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Strange News: The Pandora Papers, YouTube and Anti-vax, a French Serial Killer

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 15:35:00 +0000

Reporters reveal a new, massive leak detailing a shadowy international network the rich and powerful use to squirrel away billions -- but will this information change anything? Streaming giant YouTube begins pulling anti-vaccination videos. In his suicide note, French ex-police officer François Verove confesses to a string of unsolved serial murders. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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CLASSIC: The Rise and Fall of the Comics Code

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Nowadays comics are considered anything from light-hearted entertainment to a unique art form and genre of literature all their own. Yet for decades they were considered a gateway to sin. Join Ben and special guest Christian Sager as they explore the moral panic, censorship and collusion that led to the rise of the comics code.

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Listener Mail: The Looming IATSE Strike, a Sunglasses Cartel -- and why do UFOs need lights?

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Multiple listeners in the entertainment industry write in about a looming, massive strike as TV/Film professionals fight for better working conditions. Another Conspiracy Realist asks whether a monopoly controls sunglasses. And here's a question -- if a UFO could travel intergalactic space, why would it need lights? All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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The True Story of the Men in Black

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Imagine you've just seen a UFO. A few days later, mysterious men appear on your doorstep in anachronistic black suits, cryptically warning you: if you tell anyone what you saw, there may be consequences down the road. This is the story of the Men In Black, one of the strangest tales in the world of UFOlogy.

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CLASSIC: What is genocide?

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Modern historians generally mark the beginning of the Armenian Genocide as 24 April, 1915. However, people and nations still can't seem to agree on whether it actually was a genocide. Why? And why do both sides accuse the others of a conspiracy?

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Strange News: Rolls Royce Wants To Nuke The Moon, Creepy Clowns and the Rush To Mine The Ocean Depths

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 14:59:19 +0000

Rolls Royce is considering using nuclear power to mine the moon. A Singaporean academy comes under fire for hiring clowns to promote classes to children. Mining companies are intent on plumbing the seabed for new resources, but critics fear it will lead to disaster. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Seismic Anomalies, with Sarah Wayne Callies

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 19:39:59 +0000

If you ever experienced an earthquake, you remember the terrifying feeling of the ground beneath you shifting, shaking, and trembling. Scientists still can't predict the day and time of an earthquake, but one thing's for sure: more are on the way. Tune in as the guys explore the strange world of seismic anomalies with acclaimed actor, writer and director Sarah Wayne Callies, the creator of the stunning podcast "Aftershock", a harrowing tale of struggle and survival in a dystopian California, rocked by a massive earthquake.

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Listener Mail: Guan Yu, the Tytler Cycle, and a Ghost Story

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:04:11 +0000

A listener with experience in China breaks down the cultural context of the Guan Yu statue. A caller asks to learn more about the Tytler cycle, which proposes all democracies have an expiration date. As Halloween approaches, the guys get increasingly into ghost stories. All this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Majestic 12: An Origin Story

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:59:40 +0000

When the US government confirmed it had been secretly monitoring reports of UFOs for years, the news caught many people by surprise. However, for some members of the UFOlogy community, this was just another smokescreen disguising the truth: aliens are real, Uncle Sam met with them, and decades ago the President formed a secret group of scientists, politicians and military officials to figure out what to do next. The name of this strange brain trust? Majestic 12.

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CLASSIC: False Flag Attacks

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Imagine if a government disguised its operatives as members of some other organization -- and then attacked itself. While this might sound crazy, several historians have argued that false flag attacks are more than just conspiracy theories.

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Strange News: Gabby Petito, Potty-training Cows and Google's Bizarre Time Crystals

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:05:52 +0000

Authorities discover a body they believe to be the remains of Gabby Petito. Scientists wonder whether toilet training cattle may help the environment. Google goes full sci-fi with the creation of "time crystals," which appear to maintain a state of constant change without using energy. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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ABCs in Europe: Abnormally Big Cats

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

For decades, people across the United Kingdom have been reporting something strange: enormous, cat-like beasts popping up on the edges of cities, only to disappear without a trace. In today's episode, the guys dive into one of the strangest cryptid tales of the modern day -- ABCs, the Abnormally Big Cats of Europe.

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Listener Mail: Big Almond, Fitbit and the Nature of Addiction

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

What makes California's almond industry so controversial? Is Fitbit gamifying physical fitness? What more can people learn about video game addiction (and why is this research so important)? Ben and Matt explore all this and more in this week's Listener Mail.

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Guantanamo Bay, Part Two: The Future

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

What will happen to one of the world's most infamous modern prisons? How long can a person be held without trial -- and what happens when the government sets those people free? In the second part of this two-part series, the guys explore the future of Gitmo.

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CLASSIC: Big Data and You

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

We hear about "big data" more and more these days - but how much of it is sensationalism, and how much is true? The answers may surprise you.

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Strange News: The US vs. Prince Andrew, China Moves World's Largest Guan Yu Statue, Facebook Makes Ray-Bans

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

In the UK, Prince Andrew's legal team attempts to dodge US rulings regarding Virginia Giuffre. In China, local protests trigger the relocation of a massive statue. Facebook and Ray-Ban team up to deploy their own spin on the controversial Google Glass. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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Guantanamo Bay, Part One: An Origin Story

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Today, the word "Guantánamo" is, for most people, synonymous with one of the world's most infamous prisons -- but, as it turns out, the troubled story of this location dates back much further. In part one of this two-part series, the guys explore the history of Guantánamo Bay, from the 15th century to the modern day.

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CLASSIC: Operation Gladio: Invisible Armies and The Secret War

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

At the close of WWII, US allies created secret, "stay-behind" armies, designed to protect the population in the event of a Communist invasion. So why are they linked with terrorist groups? What were these secret armies actually doing, and - perhaps more i

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A Cartel Runs the Maple Syrup Game

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Most people are aware of maple syrup -- it's a welcome addition to pancakes and waffles on breakfast tables across the planet. Other than that, you might not think of maple syrup often, unless you're in the industry, or live in a region that produces it. But it turns out there's something brewing out there in the world of Sugar Maples and syrup... and it may be something Big Maple doesn't want you to know.

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CLASSIC: Did a UFO crash in Kecksburg, PA?

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

On December 9th, 1965, multiple witnesses saw a bright object shoot through the sky and - allegedly - land in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. So what actually happened? Find out in this classic episode.

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Strange News: The Satanic Temple Vs. Texas, President Calls For 9/11 Transparency, the World Ignores the Coup in Guinea

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:10:43 +0000

The Satanic Temple challenges the controversial new abortion law in Texas. The Biden administration pushes to release still-classified documents concerning 9/11. Over in west Africa, the Guinean military has overthrown the government -- and no one's sure what will happen next.

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Are video games addictive?

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

In the span of just a few decades, video games have moved from a niche pursuit to the mainstream, growing into a multibillion dollar, continually-evolving industry. As technology also continues to involve, becoming increasing immersive -- and, according to some critics, invasive -- more and more critics are concerned video games may be built to be dangerously, purposely addictive.

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Listener Mail: A Suspected Serial Killer on I-80, UFOs, and the Right to Repair

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 16:04:32 +0000

Is there a serial killer operating in Nevada? A caller shares their own experience with a UFO, and the guys explore the concept of the right to repair. All this and more in today's listener mail segment.

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The Melungeon Mystery

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that the story of US history taught in school doesn't always match the reality of certain events -- and the deeper you dig, the stranger some stories become. In today's episode, the guys dive into the historic mystery surrounding Melungeons and other communities collectively known as tri-racial isolates, groups throughout the southern and eastern United States known for their enigmatic origins and insular, rural communities. Where did these groups actually come from? Are any of the legends about them true? Tune in to learn more.

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Strange News: China's Internet Gaming Ban, Capybara and Classism, Humans are Evolving New Arteries

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

China seeks to crack down on 'video game addiction' with strict new laws on internet gaming. Capybaras prompt a conversation about class in South America. Studies show human beings are evolving new arteries -- and no one's quite sure why, or what it means for the future. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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What happened to Portlock, Alaska?

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:30:00 +0000

If you travel to the southern side of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula today, you'll find little more than ruins and wildlife. Almost a century ago, this place was called Portlock, Alaska -- a small but thriving town at the edge of the northern frontier. By 1950, the town had been completely abandoned. So what happened, and why do so many people seem to think Portlock is cursed?

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Listener Mail: Legal Drugs in America, Drone Birds, and the Iron Law of Prohibition

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:07:23 +0000

A listener writes in response to the Classic episode on legal drugs. A caller relates a story about drones built to look like birds. The guys dive into the concept of the iron law of prohibition. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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UFOs and Clubhouse, with Roderick Martin

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:00:00 +0000

What do the world's foremost UFO investigators think of the latest revelations regarding UFOs (also known as UAP)? Join the guys as they speak with Roderick Martin, the creator and host of Clubhouse's Extraterrestrial Evidence, to discuss the inspiration for his show, the process of conducting a MUFON investigation, and more.

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CLASSIC: Are the police targeting minorities?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Did you know that there's no systematic, comprehensive study of police shootings across the United States? Some blame a distaste for paperwork, while others think there's something sinister afoot.

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Strange News: OnlyFans, A Hiking Murder Mystery, and The Real Reason Fast Food Ice Cream Machines Are a Pain

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

OnlyFans announces it will no longer allow explicit content on the platform, prompting a massive outcry. A family of hikers is found dead, with no discernible cause of death -- prompting authorities to wonder whether algae blooms may be the culprit. And it seems there's a surprising reason fast food ice cream machines seem to be constantly broken... a genuine conspiracy. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Death of Thomas Merton

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

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Listener Mail: Martians, Hand-written Letters and Grave Robbing

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:26:35 +0000

Wernher von Braun wrote a curious story about encountering Martians. A listener explains the power of hand-written letters. An email inspires the guys to dive deep into the macabre world of modern grave robbing. All this and more in this week's listener mail.

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STDWYTK: Live from Podcast Movement

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:30:00 +0000

What makes people think 'conspiracy' is a bad word? How do we apply critical thinking in what has so often been called a post-truth world? In this episode, the guys hit the road for the first time since the pandemic, traveling to record a panel on critical thought and conspiracy live during Podcast Movement in Nashville, Tennessee.

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CLASSIC: North Korea: Fact and Fiction

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

In an age of global connectivity, North Korea remains one of the most isolated -- and enigmatic -- countries on Earth. How much do we really know about it?

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Strange News: Embezzlement in Florida, Viral Police Videos, Crustaceans are Horny for Plastic

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

A disgraced accountant affiliated with the University of South Florida pleads guilty to embezzling millions. A viral video from law enforcement creates panic over Fentanyl. Crustaceans are super into plastic waste. All this and more in this week's Strange News segment.

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Fast Food Conspiracies, Part 2: A Frightening Combo of Money, Food and Scale

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Fast food restaurants have spread across the globe -- and this industry's effect goes far beyond convenient fries or refillable soda. In the second part of this two-part series,

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Listener Mail: Ben Disappears, the Lake Michigan Mothman, Strange Things in Sacramento's Water

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

A listener asks for more information about the Lake Michigan Mothman. Luke is concerned about strange substances in the water of Sacramento. Ben has disappeared somewhere over the Pacific. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Fast Food Conspiracies, Part 1: The Rise of Mass Production

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

The idea of convenient snacks is as old as human civilization itself -- for example, excavations at ancient sites across the planet have recovered evidence of food stalls in markets and community hubs. But the modern age of fast food has taken convenience to unprecedented levels. In the first part of this week's two-part episode, the guys unpack the the history of fast food, along with why some critics seem dead-set against this gigantic global industry.

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CLASSIC: Diamonds: The Conspiracy

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Diamonds: according to the ads, they're a girl's best friend, and the only thing worth picking for an engagement ring. But how did diamonds become so important -- and why?

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Strange News: Cigarette Company Wants to Ban... Cigarettes? 2,000 Year-old Fast Food, Conspiracy Website Wants You To Change Its Mind

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 15:21:27 +0000

Philip Morris has recently called for a total ban on cigarettes in the United Kingdom -- leading critics to wonder about its true motivations. A conspiracy website offers ten thousand dollars to anyone who can change the editors' minds. Archaeologists discover a 2,000 year-old fast food joint in Pompeii, and plan to open a replica for tourists. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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The Troubling Future of Advertising

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:50:00 +0000

It's no secret that the ad industry is huge. Advertisers spend hundreds of billions of dollars each year attempting to convince people they should buy a given product or service -- and these same forces also work around the clock to leverage the latest in neuroscience and tech to gain a crucial edge in 'nudging' you toward a purchase. In today's episode, the guys explore the future of advertising... as well as why some critics are deeply disturbed by the conspiracies that loom on the horizon.

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Listener Mail: Insider Info on Private Hacking Software, Serial Killer Rumors in Atlanta

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

A viral social media post claims recent homicides in Atlanta, GA are the work of a serial killer -- but do the claims in this post hold up? An anonymous Conspiracy Realist replies to the recent revelations about NSO Group's Pegasus software, which has been used to track activists, journalists and their families, prompting an exploration of just how much power these private companies can wield... and whether they should share the blame when their powerful customers use this technology to aid in assassinations. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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The Rendlesham Forest Incident with Toby Ball

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Over a period of just a few days, multiple members of the military witnessed strange, unexplained events in the vicinity of the UK's Rendlesham Forest. Today, the guys welcome returning guest Toby Ball to learn more about this infamous series of UFO sightings -- and what he found in the course of his research into the bizarre, at times contradictory claims surrounding this event.

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CLASSIC: Legal Drugs in America

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Each year, millions of US residents consume pharmaceutical products designed to somehow improve their lives. These drugs could tackle anything from ADHD to allergies and diseases.

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Strange News: Ancient Viruses Reemerge From Glaciers, QAnon and Crisis Actor Conspiracies

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 15:03:48 +0000

A disturbing study finds 33 ancient viruses have successfully reemerged from glaciers as rising temperatures accelerate a global meltdown -- prompting fears about what else might be lurking beneath the ice. A survivor of a mass shooting is at a loss as he attempts to convince his father the shooting actually occurred, and was not part of some deep state conspiracy. All this and more in this week's Strange News.

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