Muhammad Ali risked his career and even his freedom to take a stand against the Vietnam War. He followed in the footsteps of men like baseball great Jackie Robinson and singer Paul Robeson, who started out playing football. These Black athletes are all part of a heritage of working for social justice, according to journalist Howard Bryant. Today, Bryant joins Lindsay to talk about his book The Heritage: Black Athletes, A Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism. Be the first to know...
Mar 11, 2025•36 min•Season 60Ep. 4
By 1969, Muhammad Ali is at a crossroads, his career and freedom hanging in the balance as his draft evasion case reaches the Supreme Court. Behind closed doors, justices clash over his fate, and an unexpected voice shapes the final decision. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-fr...
Mar 04, 2025•41 min•Season 60Ep. 3
In 1967, Muhammad Ali officially refuses induction into the U.S. military, standing firm in his religious objection to the Vietnam War. He is stripped of his heavyweight title, barred from boxing, and sentenced to five years in prison. Ali fights back with appeals while struggling with mounting legal bills, public criticism, and even suspension from the Nation of Islam. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.f...
Feb 25, 2025•40 min•Season 60Ep. 2
You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some random stranger from ripping you off. But the shocking truth is, the person behind that message might be trapped inside a “scam factory” on the other side of the world and forced to scam others against their will. From Wondery, comes a new series about the brutal...
Feb 24, 2025•6 min
As a young boxer in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay begins to hone his brash, flamboyant persona while climbing the ranks. After winning the heavyweight championship and embracing the Nation of Islam in 1964, he becomes Muhammad Ali, a figure as polarizing as he is talented. But when he becomes eligible for the draft, he refuses to serve, risking his career and legacy to stand by his beliefs. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign u...
Feb 18, 2025•42 min•Season 60Ep. 1
Get ready for a whole new vintage of true crime podcast with Blood Vines , available exclusively on Wondery+.Hosted by Chris Walker, this full-bodied series uncorks the never-before-told story of the Licciardi family - one of the most powerful wine dynasties in California history - who almost brought down the entire industry over a family battle for succession …that ended in murder. www.wondery.com/links/blood-vines See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
Feb 13, 2025•8 min
On February 20th, 2003, the rock band Great White took the stage at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. But when they began their set by igniting pyrotechnic sparklers, a fire broke out and ripped up the walls before quickly spreading to the rest of the building. Veteran journalist Scott James says people had only about ninety seconds to react and escape. Unanswered questions about the disaster led him to spend years investigating what happened. Today, James joins Lindsay to tal...
Feb 11, 2025•37 min•Season 59Ep. 4
Monica Lewinsky has been a major reference in pop culture since she was 24 years old when a scandal made her a household name overnight. Since then, she’s fought to redefine her reputation - and now, she's ready to encourage others to take back their power, too. On her new podcast "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky," Monica leads honest and wide-ranging conversations about what it means to write your own narrative. Each week, guests share how they've rediscovered purpose, rebuilt relationships, an...
Feb 11, 2025•7 min
After learning about the fire, the community of West Warwick is horrified at the devastation the tragedy caused. Victims and their families demand answers, and soon Rhode Island’s Attorney General launches a grand jury investigation to find out not only how the fire spread so quickly, but who is responsible. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery A...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min•Season 59Ep. 3
On the night of February 20, 2003, excitement fills the Station as the crowd eagerly awaits a performance by Jack Russell and Great White. But seconds into the show, sparks from a pyrotechnic display ignite the walls, unleashing a fire that spreads with terrifying speed. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experi...
Jan 28, 2025•34 min•Season 59Ep. 2
In February 2003, a small nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island called the Station gets set to host a performance by ‘80s rock band Great White. But unbeknownst to the club’s patrons, owners Michael and Jeffrey Derderian and their staff have cut corners on safety. And when Great White’s tour manager sets off some dangerous pyrotechnics, the Station becomes a death trap. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery...
Jan 21, 2025•33 min•Season 59Ep. 1
Like most people who were alive in 1986, filmmaker Steven Leckart remembers the Challenger disaster. He was a kid in elementary school at the time. But as an adult, Leckart set out to explore the aftermath of what happened through interviews with astronauts’ family members, engineers and NASA officials. Today, Leckart joins Lindsay to talk about the 2020 Netflix series, Challenger: The Final Flight, which he co-directed and produced. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated ...
Jan 14, 2025•37 min•Season 58Ep. 5
Following the Challenger disaster, engineers grapple with guilt and the consequences of raising concerns about the space shuttle’s flaws. Amidst public outcry, the Rogers Commission’s inquiry, including Richard Feynman’s stark demonstration of the O-Rings' vulnerability, uncovers what was known about the design failures and the economic pressures that led officials to move forward anyway. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now a...
Jan 07, 2025•41 min•Season 58Ep. 4
In the tense hours leading up to the Challenger launch, engineers and managers at NASA and its contractor Morton Thiokol heatedly argue over whether to move forward, despite freezing temperatures that threaten to compromise the rocket boosters’ O-Rings. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all epi...
Dec 31, 2024•37 min•Season 58Ep. 3
As NASA struggles to keep its ambitious launch schedule on track, engineers at contractor Morton Thiokol raise concerns about a key component of the space shuttle’s rocket boosters: O-Rings, which are designed to prevent fuel leaks. Amid this tension, the Teacher in Space program captivates the nation after Christa McAuliffe is selected, raising public interest in the launch. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://won...
Dec 24, 2024•37 min•Season 58Ep. 2
In January 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle was poised to make history, carrying seven astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher and civilian selected for space travel. The launch was part of a decade-long effort by NASA to make flights cheaper and more frequent with the use of a reusable space shuttle. But years of budget cuts and risky design choices set the stage for disaster. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sig...
Dec 17, 2024•37 min•Season 58Ep. 1
Journalist Tyler Gray was working in Orlando when he first heard about Lou Pearlman and his growing business empire. But it wasn’t until authorities apprehended Pearlman in Bali in 2007 that Gray began to investigate the story behind the man who created the boy bands NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. Today, Tyler Gray joins Lindsay to talk about his book, The Hit Charade : Lou Pearlman, Boy Bands, and the Biggest Ponzi Scheme in U.S. History. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, ...
Dec 10, 2024•35 min•Season 57Ep. 4
Following his split with the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, Lou Pearlman finds it increasingly difficult to keep up appearances around his rapidly crumbling empire. Soon, investors begin demanding their money back, and an accountant turned whistleblower threatens to expose Pearlman’s lies. Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+...
Dec 03, 2024•39 min•Season 57Ep. 3
Lou Pearlman is eager to replicate his success with the Backstreet Boys and secretly forms a second boy band, NSYNC. But as he continues to fund his extravagant lifestyle and recruit new investors for his other business ventures, both bands question why their fame is outpacing their income. Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joini...
Nov 26, 2024•41 min•Season 57Ep. 2
Lou Pearlman rises from humble beginnings in Queens, New York to launch a successful blimp and charter plane company called Trans Continental. In the ‘90s, he cements his reputation as a risk-taking entrepreneur when he creates a pop music “boy band,” the Backstreet Boys. But Pearlman’s “fake it till you make it” approach is built on a foundation of deception, setting the stage for his ultimate downfall. Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience ...
Nov 19, 2024•41 min•Season 57Ep. 1
Rumors were already swirling about the Astros and sign-stealing when people on the inside tipped off reporter Evan Drellich with damning details of the scheme. What he and his colleague Ken Rosenthal published in The Athletic in 2019 rocked the baseball world and forced many people to question the Astros’ 2017 World Series title. Today, Drellich joins Lindsay to talk about the scandal and his book, Winning Fixes Everything : How Baseball’s Brightest Minds Created Sports’ Biggest Mess . Lis...
Nov 12, 2024•38 min•Season 56Ep. 5
Following their 2017 World Series win, the Astros cannot escape rumors that they cheated. They aren’t the only team accused of illegally stealing signs, but they become the focal point after their victory and continued success in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Finally, two reporters find a former Astros player willing to go on the record about the team’s sign-stealing scheme. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-f...
Nov 05, 2024•38 min•Season 56Ep. 4
By 2017, the Houston Astros are one of the most dominant teams in Major League Baseball. But the team also takes sign stealing to new heights when they discover a unique – and illegal – way to signal those signs to batters in real time. But as the team mounts a World Series run, some opposing coaches and players begin to grow suspicious of their hitters’ uncanny ability to anticipate pitches. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first,...
Oct 29, 2024•36 min•Season 56Ep. 3
As Jeff Luhnow and the Houston Astros work towards rebuilding the team, they hire veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran and bench coach Alex Cora to help guide their roster of younger, less experienced players. Both Beltran and Cora arrive in Houston with deep insights into the game, including the intricacies of sign stealing. And after the league expands access to instant replay in 2014, the veterans look for ways to take advantage of the new technology. Need more American Scandal? With Wonde...
Oct 22, 2024•36 min•Season 56Ep. 2
When Jeff Luhnow takes over as general manager of the Houston Astros in 2011, he promises owner Jim Crane he can do the seemingly impossible: propel the team from last place to the playoffs in just five years. But his win-at-all-costs attitude rubs many baseball insiders the wrong way and threatens to demoralize his players. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, A...
Oct 15, 2024•41 min•Season 56Ep. 1
Lindsay sits down with Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covers the tech industry. The two explore why venture capitalists work to create monopolies, and whether these powerful investors bear responsibility for the failures at Theranos. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now. &nb...
Oct 08, 2024•35 min•Season 55Ep. 4
An investigative journalist looks into Theranos, and is shocked by his discoveries. Elizabeth Holmes tries to fend off the potentially devastating story. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pr...
Oct 01, 2024•41 min•Season 55Ep. 3
Theranos prepares to go public with its blood-testing devices. But the company faces increased scrutiny, as problems with its technology—and its leadership—add up. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...
Sep 24, 2024•37 min•Season 55Ep. 2
Elizabeth Holmes has an idea that could revolutionize medicine—and make her very rich. But first, she'll need to find investors and put together a company. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/...
Sep 17, 2024•41 min•Season 55Ep. 1
Launched in 1916, Boeing grew into the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft. Then Airbus came along, and Boeing had serious competition. In response, Boeing released a new plane, the 737 MAX, but design flaws led to two crashes and 346 deaths. Today, aviation industry consultant Scott Hamilton joins Lindsay to try to answer the question: how did Boeing get here? Hamilton is the author of Air Wars: The Global Combat Between Airbus and Boeing. Need more American Scandal? With ...
Sep 10, 2024•37 min•Season 54Ep. 5
