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 ...
Nov 20, 2023•51 min
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....
Nov 17, 2023•47 min
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...
Nov 16, 2023•54 min
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 o...
Nov 15, 2023•58 min
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 r...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 7 min
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 ...
Nov 13, 2023•56 min
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....
Nov 10, 2023•56 min
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 L...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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...
Nov 08, 2023•55 min
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/stati...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 4 min
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 informat...
Nov 06, 2023•55 min
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.: h...
Nov 03, 2023•47 min
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....
Nov 02, 2023•46 min
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...
Nov 01, 2023•57 min
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 ma...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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....
Oct 30, 2023•49 min
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 profo...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 13 min
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....
Oct 26, 2023•45 min
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-...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min
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 ...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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 omnyst...
Oct 23, 2023•47 min
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....
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 18 min
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....
Oct 19, 2023•49 min
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/ Se...
Oct 19, 2023•58 min
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.co...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 21 min
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/ ...
Oct 16, 2023•59 min
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....
Oct 13, 2023•54 min
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/s...
Oct 12, 2023•54 min
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 ...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 4 min
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 ...
Oct 10, 2023•49 min
