On the 250th anniversary of the United States, Revisionist History investigates the overlooked story of what was, at the time, the biggest secession movement in the U.S. since the Civil War.
A movement that took place on a small island miles out to sea from New York City. An early example of the politics of resentment that dominates America today. What do you do when a democracy looks like it’s falling apart?
Over the course of five episodes, The Staten Island Problem reconstructs the battle for New York City amidst the turbulent early 1990s — the rise of Rudy Giuliani, the peak of the homicide rate, the Wu-Tang Clan, young Donald Trump, and the first Black mayor of New York — all through the prism of the city’s Forgotten Borough. Through colorful characters and never-before-heard archival audio, The Staten Island Problem reveals what can happen when a disgruntled minority manages to take over — and fracture — a democracy.
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Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
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On the 250th anniversary of the United States, Revisionist History investigates the overlooked story of New York City almost breaking apart as Staten Island threatened to secede. Over the course of five episodes, The Staten Island Problem reconstructs the battle for New York City amidst the turbulent early 1990s — the rise of Rudy Giuliani, the peak of the homicide rate, the Wu-Tang Clan, a young Donald Trump, and the first Black mayor of New York — all through the prism of the city’s Forgotten ...
Would a tomato by any other name taste as sweet? What about a steak? Malcolm sends Ben on a mission to investigate the cutting edge of food technology and two mistakes: one from the 1990s and one that’s unfolding as we speak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The podcast explores the tumultuous Reconstruction era following the Civil War, focusing on the unexpected challenges faced by abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass after slavery ended. It highlights President Andrew Johnson's divisive and racist approach to reuniting the nation, contrasting it with Douglass's vision for universal citizenship and suffrage. The episode details Carl Schurz's crucial mission to the devastated South, whose honest report exposed the deep-seated chaos and violence, ultimately galvanizing Congress to enact transformative civil rights legislation and constitutional amendments, fundamentally reshaping American government.
Revisionist History revisits an episode from season two and Malcolm tells the story of a phone call that set in motion a collaboration with President Barack Obama, which we'll preview next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Scene on Radio is a two-time Peabody-nominated podcast that dares to ask big, hard questions about who we are—really—and how we got this way. Their new season, The News, asks: what’s really wrong with the news? Some have called the news media the oxygen of a functioning democracy. But if that’s true, America’s lungs are in rough shape. Most Americans say they don’t trust the media. The business model for local journalism has all but collapsed. And we all know about the barrage of misinformation ...
This episode delves into the "Great American Elevator Tragedy," examining why elevators in the U.S. are significantly more expensive and less common than in Europe, despite being an American invention. Malcolm Gladwell, a self-proclaimed YIMBY, enlists Stephen Smith to uncover how restrictive building codes, particularly a seemingly minor amendment by fire inspector Gregory A. Victor, prioritizing oversized elevators for rare scenarios, inadvertently made housing less accessible and affordable across the nation by neglecting underlying economics.
This July 4th marks the 250th Anniversary of America—250 years of rebellion and innovation, of struggle and survival. At many times, our American experiment looked like it could fall apart at the seams. When you look closely at those moments, it was ordinary people who kept it all together. In thew new season of Medal of Honor, our podcast about courage, leadership, identity, and sacrifice, we’re telling the stories of some of those people. People like James Fleming. In 1968, in the dense jungle...
The episode centers on the dilemma of a man with an advanced, metastatic case of prostate cancer. His name is Dan. Every doctor he spoke to had a different opinion on what he should do — or whether it was even worth doing anything at all. His question was: which of these many opinions should I trust? The episode centers on which doctor he ended up committing to, how he made that decision of where to place his trust, and how his choice probably saved his life. What Dan will explain — and he is so...
This episode explores the downfall of BlackBerry through the eyes of its former co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, as he reflects on the crucial strategic error. Balsillie details his rejected 2011 plan to pivot BlackBerry from its struggling hardware division to focus on its highly profitable messaging service, BlackBerry Messenger, as a universal social media platform. The episode highlights the clash between his logical, foresightful vision and a board unwilling to abandon the familiar, ultimately leading to BlackBerry's demise.
Dive into the catastrophic Tay Bridge disaster and meet William McGonagall, whose infamously bad poetry immortalized the event. The episode chronicles McGonagall's early life, theatrical misadventures, relentless pursuit of poetic fame despite constant mockery and elaborate hoaxes, and ultimately reinterprets his creative failures as deliberate acts of genius and clowning. It prompts listeners to reconsider what constitutes true artistry and the value of creative expression regardless of perceived quality.
This episode delves into music producer Irv Gotti's career-damaging mistake: publicly discrediting Jennifer Lopez in an Elle interview about her song "Ain't It Funny." Malcolm Gladwell explores how a preceding racist encounter fueled Gotti's outburst and examines the reporter's role in the fallout. The discussion questions responsibility, journalistic integrity, and the deep roots of our mistakes, offering a powerful lesson on self-reflection and judgment.
General David Goldfein and Dr. Heather Wilson recount the Sutherland Springs mass shooting tragedy and the Air Force's devastating mistake in failing to report the shooter's violent past. They share their immediate decision to take full institutional ownership, guided by core values like integrity and service. The episode explores the profound impact of this accountability, from a challenging press conference to General Goldfein's emotional visit to the affected community, ultimately offering powerful lessons in servant leadership and handling institutional failure.
Malcolm Gladwell delves into the 2014 Sony Pictures hack with former CEO Michael Lynton, exploring how his impulsive decision to greenlight "The Interview" ignited a major cyberattack. The episode uncovers the complex factors, including Lynton's personal schema and overlooked international politics, that contributed to one of US history's most damaging business hacks. It highlights the profound consequences of misjudgment and the journey to understand mistakes.
Malcolm Gladwell speaks with filmmaker Andrew Jarecki about his documentary, "The Alabama Solution," which exposes the brutal realities of Alabama's prison system, largely through footage shot by incarcerated men on contraband cellphones. The conversation delves into the film's unique production, the ethical dilemmas of storytelling, and the shocking systemic failures, including forced labor and cover-ups. They discuss the disturbing political climate in Alabama and the profound impact of witnessing such inhumanity firsthand.
This episode delves into the controversial sequel, Zootopia 2, uncovering its hidden layers as a "perfect literary crime." Through meticulous analysis of visual cues and plot points, the hosts argue the film is an intentional, public apology from within Disney to screenwriter Gary Goldman, who sued Disney over the original Zootopia. The narrative connects this audacious act to the deep-seated social justice legacy of the film's co-writer, Jared Bush, whose family consistently fought for the marginalized, revealing a powerful message about authorship and redemption.
This episode delves into screenwriter Gary Goldman's seven-year legal battle against Disney, where he alleged the studio stole his concept and characters for the original Zootopia, despite numerous striking similarities between his pitch and the blockbuster film. The mystery deepens with the release of Zootopia 2, which introduces a character named "Gary the Snake" whose appearance, background, and entire plotline " centered on reclaiming stolen intellectual property from "corporate fatcats" ", eerily parallel Goldman's real-life experience. Malcolm Gladwell attempts to unravel how such a meta-narrative could have been approved by Disney, encountering a wall of silence from Hollywood insiders.
Valley of Shadows is a new Pushkin true crime podcast that digs into a nearly 30-year old secret buried in the California desert. On June 11, 1998, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy Jon Aujay went for a run in California’s Devil’s Punchbowl park...and never came back. Nearly 30 years later, the mystery surrounding his disappearance has only deepened. Some say Aujay is just another missing hiker, claimed by the inhospitable landscape of the Southern California desert. Some say he too...
Despite his disdain for birthdays, Malcolm finds himself celebrating ten years of Revisionist History by looking back on the making of the show with producers past and present. And, of course, his mother. Referenced Episodes: Season 1, Episode 5: Food Fight Season 6, Episode 10: The Dog Will See You Now Season 2, Episode 4: The Foot Soldier of Birmingham Season 9, Episode 5: Guns Part 5: The Footnote Season 11, Episode 9: Hitler's Olympics, Part 9: A Plague on Both Your Houses. Season 14, Episod...
Malcolm recently went on the podcast of one of his favorite comedians, Hasan Minhaj. He enjoyed the experience so much, he wanted to share the conversation with you! Enjoy. On Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know, the two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian sits down with the biggest names in politics, culture, and tech with questions that are as thought-provoking as they are absurd. It’s a dumb show for curious people who are looking for answers but can’t find them, not even from their host. Because, ulti...
Today, we bring you our holiday epic from last year. When Arnold Schwarzenegger decided he wanted to direct a feature film, the choice of material was obvious: He would remake a 1945 holiday classic. Easier said than done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For nearly 200 years, we have credited the most famous poem of the Christmas season to Clement Clarke Moore. But what if we got the wrong man? This holiday season: A centuries old family feud, a bold claim from an English professor, and the true meaning of Christmas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Malcolm and Liliana Segura, a criminal justice reporter at Intercept, sat down for an episode of The Intercept Briefing to discuss The Alabama Murders, the inherent cruelty of the death penalty, and the concerning rise of executions in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Holman Correctional Facility. January 2024. Over three decades after the murder of Elizabeth Sennett, the failure cascade comes to an end, but not before claiming one more life. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin....
Manhattan, NY December. 2022. What do you do, after the state has tried to execute you, but failed? Kenny Smith’s legal team calls Kate Porterfield. A psychologist who specializes in trauma. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Push...
Holman Correctional Facility. November 2022. The State of Alabama tries to execute Kenneth Smith. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Holman Correctional Facility. June 2010. John Forrest Parker is put to death by lethal injection. He didn’t appear to suffer. But did he? Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Colbert County. May 1989. One of the men charged with Elizabeth Sennett’s murder stands trial. But the prosecution’s case has problematic inconsistencies. His fate comes down to the jury’s decision –– at least at first. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple...
Florence, Alabama. 1988. After a horrifying murder takes place, an anonymous caller names three young men as suspects. But speculation swirls about the victim’s husband. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus...
In a small town in the northwest corner of Alabama, a cascade begins with a man and an affair. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm . Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
