Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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"?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: this episode contains thoughts and concepts that may endanger your understanding of reality. You can turn back now, or [REDACTED].They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.'They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.)They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.'They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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."They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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".They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 first 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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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).They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/id1716418988They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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).They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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".They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.