Kat Torres has the insta-perfect life. She is rich, gorgeous and not ashamed to share it. Her posts about witchcraft and “alien baths” drew in over a million followers, all chasing the dream of a lifestyle like hers. But as she gathers more followers around her, the secrets beneath her fame grow darker and more dangerous. One woman sets out to bring back her best friend who has fallen under the spell of this modern-day guru. And what begins as a search for a missing frie...
Apr 03, 2025•6 min
Think you know everything about Barbie? Think again. We're pulling back the pink curtain on three Mattel missteps that had parents lining up for refunds and PR teams working overtime. From pregnant Midge to “gay” Ken, these Barbie blunders had executives screaming ""Oh no!"" instead of ""Oh Barbie!"" Maddie Wiener and Leah Rudick join Misha to unbox some of the weirdest Barbie products of all time Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign...
Mar 31, 2025•41 min•Ep. 81
From substitute teacher to energy drink mogul, Jack Owoc rode a wave of caffeine to build Bang Energy into a billion-dollar empire. Bang promised to make you smarter, stronger, and immune to hangovers. Turns out, the only thing it boosted was CEO Jack Owoc's bank account. But when Monster came for his market share and the music industry came for his TikToks, Jack learned that no amount of “super creatine” could keep him out of bankruptcy court. Emma Willmann (Crashing, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and A...
Mar 24, 2025•48 min•Ep. 80
When Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the media called it a senseless crime. But online, a different story emerged—one of rage, reckoning, and a suspected killer turned folk hero. More than just a true crime podcast, LUIGI , hosted by Jesse Weber, dares to look beyond the crime and the accused to explore a cultural tipping point in America, asking you to decide - is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning? Listen to Law&Crime’s LUIGI exclusiv...
Mar 20, 2025•6 min
In the fall of 2014, half a billion Apple iTunes users woke up to find U2's latest album downloaded to their devices. The band thought they were democratizing music, instead, U2’s attempt to force-feed their music to the masses turned into a PR nightmare complete with deletion tutorials, customer revolts, and the most expensive 'unsubscribe' button in music history. Izzy Roland (Dimension 20, The Sex Lives of College Girls) and Andy Daly (The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) join Misha to reminisce a...
Mar 17, 2025•46 min•Ep. 79
In 2001, Steve Warshak turned America's insecurities into gold with Enzyte, a 'male enhancement' pill hawked by TV's smuggest pitchman, Smilin' Bob. But when federal agents discovered Steve’s real genius wasn't in making anything “bigger” (besides his bank account through fraud), they unearthed a world of fake doctors, unauthorized charges, and Steve’s 70-year-old mother who helped run a $200 million dollar scam. The hosts of Camp Counselors, Zachariah Porter and Jonathan Carson, join Mish...
Mar 10, 2025•52 min•Ep. 78
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...
Mar 06, 2025•6 min
He turned five fresh-faced teens into the Backstreet Boys, then secretly created their rivals N*SYNC. But while his boy bands were hitting high notes, Lou Pearlman was orchestrating one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history. From fake accounting firms to $300 million in fraud, discover how the man who built a pop empire ended up behind bars. The hosts of Good Children, Joe Hegyes and Andrew Muscarella, join Misha to share a story that might sound crazy, but it ain’t no lie: It’s the downfall o...
Mar 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 77
Joe Exotic built his kingdom on the backs of big cats, bad decisions, and bedazzled button-downs. But when his roadside zoo empire collided with animal rights crusader Carole Baskin, their clash unleashed a storm of eccentric enemies, failed murder plots, and the worst country music videos ever uploaded to YouTube. Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski (Last Podcast On the Left) join Misha to uncover the untold details of this exotic animal saga. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, cur...
Feb 24, 2025•52 min•Ep. 76
In the modeling world, Tyra Banks was untouchable—breaking barriers, creating catchphrases, and teaching a generation how to 'smize.' But when she tried to parlay that success into a business empire, things got messier than a Cover Girl photoshoot. From forcing Top Model contestants to promote her tone-deaf projects to selling $225 VIP tickets to a glorified Instagram museum, the queen of fierce learned that some dreams are better left on the vision board. Laci Mosely (Scam Goddess) and Aida Rod...
Feb 17, 2025•49 min•Ep. 75
Bill Darden built Red Lobster from a single Florida restaurant into a billion-dollar empire. But after private equity vultures swooped in, they pushed endless shrimp promotions and installed toxic management that had workers wading through kitchen grease. Coupled with cringe-worthy viral campaigns, this is the story of how America's seafood sanctuary turned into an all-you-can-eat disaster. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at ht...
Feb 10, 2025•49 min•Ep. 74
He built an empire on Kevin from The Office that turned into the hottest tech startup in town: Cameo. But when Steve Galanis became more interested in throwing Miami mansion parties than running his company, his billion-dollar tech darling became a digital bargain bin featuring more fraudsters than A-listers. Aaron Goldenberg and Jake Jonez (The Mean Gays) join Misha to break down how Cameo went from A-listers to Z-listers. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommenda...
Feb 03, 2025•45 min•Ep. 73
A Holiday Inn bathroom becomes a makeshift chimp sanctuary. A headless ape corpse rides shotgun down the highway. PETA and Alan Cumming join forces against a middle-aged nurse with a penchant for primates. This isn't a fever dream – it's the bonkers true story of Tonia Haddix and one woman's simian obsession gone wild. Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart from This Might Get Weird join Misha to peel back the layers of this bananas flop. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recom...
Jan 27, 2025•43 min•Ep. 72
Martin Shkreli jacked up drug prices, trolled the world, and bought a two million-dollar Wu-Tang album before the age of 35. But the karma (and real) police came for the Pharma Bro when the world caught wind of his price-gouging antics on life saving medicine. From hedge fund schemes to court-room memes, Martin earned the now infamous title of “Most Hated Man in America”. Kyle Prue (How to Piss Off Men) and Miles Bonsignore (Perfect Person, Try Guys) join Misha to give Martin Shkreli a taste of ...
Jan 20, 2025•45 min•Ep. 71
Rick Singer went from failed basketball coach to college admissions kingpin, engineering a $25 million scheme that had the rich and famous buying their kids' way into elite schools. From Aunt Becky to the Hot Pockets Heiress, this smooth-talking grifter exposed the dark underbelly of elite education. That is, until he brought down some of America's most privileged in the process. Chris Burns (fatcarriebradshaw) and Sarah Tiana (Comedy Store) join Misha to do a play-by-play of Operation Var...
Jan 13, 2025•48 min•Ep. 70
For over a decade, Tom Cruise was Hollywood's most bankable star, ruling Tinseltown with a million-dollar grin and a carefully crafted image. But when ditching his publicist led to couch-jumping antics, Scientology scandals, and box office bombs, La La Land’s Top Gun found himself in a tailspin that even Ethan Hunt couldn't escape. Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer from What Went Wrong join Misha to jump off the couch and into the lowest point of Tom Cruise’s career. Follow The Big Flop...
Jan 06, 2025•50 min•Ep. 69
Carlos Watson built Ozy Media on a foundation of lies, fake views, and impersonated executives. From star-studded festivals that never happened to a $40 million con call, Carlos built a multi-million dollar media mirage. Ozy’s story proves that in the world of startups, sometimes the biggest disruptor is reality itself. Mara Wilson (Matilda, Where Am I Now?) and Nish Kumar (Pod Save the UK, Mash Report) join Misha to invest some of their time into this promising business... flop. Follow The Big ...
Dec 30, 2024•53 min•Ep. 68
When Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid signed up to promote a scorching new music festival, they had no idea the flaming mess they were really in for. Entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule collabed on the notorious Fyre Festival, a disaster that cost millions, almost got festival workers killed or kidnapped, and is forever burned into flop history. Comedians Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess, A Black Lady Sketch Show) and Lauren Ashley Smith (Grown-ish, A Black Lady Sketch S...
Dec 23, 2024•42 min•Ep. 67
The Flop Academy unproudly presents, The Floppies! An awards show highlighting the best — or should we say worst — meltdowns of the year. From pop culture catastrophes to business blow ups, we cover all the spectacular trainwrecks that defined 2024. Scott Seiss (Angry Retail Guy, Cocaine Bear) and Monét X Change (Ru Paul's Drag Race) join Misha to dishonor the biggest losers of the year and to reaffirm there's no such thing as ""too big to fail."" Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherev...
Dec 16, 2024•53 min•Ep. 66
In the 1970s, Heritage USA wasn't just a theme park, it was a "Christian Disneyland" that had the faithful flocking to its divine water slides, righteous rides, and—wait for it—bible study with a side of funnel cake. But when its founder, televangelist extraordinaire Jim Bakker, got caught with his hand in the collection plate and his pants around his ankles, God-fearing tourists decided to find Jesus anywhere but Heritage USA. Gianmarco Soresi (The Downside) and Mackenzie Barmen (Bullshittery) ...
Dec 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 65
In the late '90s, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries transformed the once defunct sporting goods store into the hottest brand in America. He did that by intentionally making Abercrombie & Fitch seem unattainable for any kids he deemed ""uncool."" But after crossing multiple lines with racial discrimination, offensive graphic tees, and absolutely appalling thongs for middle schoolers... Jeffries fell out of style. As sales continued to plummet, investors rightfully gave Jeffries the bo...
Dec 02, 2024•49 min•Ep. 64
Martha Stewart used her oh-so-perfect cooking, gardening, and decorating skills to create one of the most valuable brands in the world. A guru, an icon, a billionaire: she had it all. That is, until an insider trading scandal spun her business into a death spiral and Martha went from decorating mansions to sprucing up "Camp Cupcake." Matt Friend (Friend in High Places, The Simpsons) and Nicole DuBois (NickyDoobs, Magic Carpet Rides) join Misha to get the inside scoop on Martha Stewart’s insider ...
Nov 25, 2024•47 min•Ep. 63
After basically creating the "muscle car," rebel auto-maker John Delorean became GM’s golden boy, only to leave it all behind for a risky venture in troubled Northern Ireland. But when his gull-winged wonder flopped, DeLorean's desperate moves led to unethical dealings, courtroom drama, and cocaine stings. The infamous car king was all but forgotten until his car made an unexpected cameo in a film that cemented its legacy forever. Betsy Sodaro ( Superstore, A Funny Feeling ) and Arjun Banerjee j...
Nov 18, 2024•51 min•Ep. 62
The restaurant business is tough: The margins are slim and the risk of failure is high—but that doesn’t stop celebrities from trying to open their own restaurants over and over again, even though they should definitely know it is a bad idea. Britney Spears had Nyla, Guy Fieri had Guy's American Kitchen & Bar, Eva Longoria had a steakhouse for women called SHe (that is not a typo), and they each went bust in their own special way. Cody Rigsby (Peloton, Tactful Pettiness) and Amanda Hirsch (No...
Nov 11, 2024•50 min•Ep. 61
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a park executive named Bob Chapek set out on a mission to create an immersive experience that Star Wars fans would never forget. The luxury Disney hotel would feature a two-day role playing adventure, fun foods, funner games, and unique memories they would cherish forever. But the exorbitant cost, embarrassing technical glitches, and a little thing called Covid, sent The Galactic Starcruiser spiraling into a black hole. In the end the dream was lost, a...
Nov 04, 2024•50 min•Ep. 60
