You Can’t Make This Up - podcast cover

You Can’t Make This Up

Netflixwww.netflix.com
Hear the incredible real stories behind the making of the biggest documentary series & films on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie leads in-depth interviews with creators and subjects, exploring how these stories are produced & their impact, while uncovering new information. New episodes every Wednesday.

Episodes

Toxic Town

In the 1990s, mothers in the English industrial town of Corby noticed their children were born with similar disabilities. Could they have been poisoned during their pregnancies by toxic waste being removed from the old steel mill? Led by Susan McIntrye, the group rallied to seek justice, but the borough council denied there was any connection between the children and the reclamation project essential to the city’s future. The mothers hit stonewalls in their quest for the truth, but a crusading l...

Mar 05, 202534 minSeason 8Ep. 8

Surviving Black Hawk Down

In October 1993, US soldiers operating in the middle of a civil war in Somalia were on a mission to capture high ranking militia leaders linked to the fighting. But their extraction from the streets of Mogadishu was blocked by an unexpected counter attack from Somali warriors resulting in an all-out urban firefight. While the Army Rangers were pinned down in the streets, resistance fighters shot down two Black Hawk helicopters. What became known as the Battle of Mogadishu lasted for hours, with ...

Feb 26, 202536 minSeason 8Ep. 8

American Murder: Gabby Petito

In 2021, Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie set off in a van for a cross country adventure they’d document for a travel vlog. Despite images of a carefree journey she posted online, the trip was beginning to sour. Then - Gabby’s parents couldn’t reach her. And police discovered Brian had returned home in the van…with his girlfriend nowhere to be found. The Netflix documentary series American Murder: Gabby Petito dives deep into the true crime mystery that captivated the Internet - and...

Feb 19, 202535 minSeason 8Ep. 6

Apple Cider Vinegar - part two

At the dawn of the social media era, Belle Gibson became a pioneering wellness influencer - telling the world how she beat cancer with an alternative diet. Her bestselling cookbook and online app provided her success, respect, and a connection to the cancer-battling influencer she admired the most. But a curious journalist with a sick wife began asking questions that even those closest to Belle began to wonder. Was the online star faking her cancer and fooling the world? Kaitlyn Dever stars in t...

Feb 12, 202532 minSeason 8Ep. 5

Apple Cider Vinegar - part one

Belle Gibson was an early social media health influencer, with a best-selling book and a popular wellness app. She drew attention after claiming she had several forms of malignant cancer, and was treating them with alternative therapies and diet. When Gibson told the world her holistic approach was keeping her alive and well despite her diagnoses, followers and readers put their faith in her guidance. But when journalists discovered Gibson had faked her illnesses and wasn’t truthful about her ch...

Feb 05, 202537 minSeason 8Ep. 4

American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson

In 1994, two people were slain in Brentwood, California - one of them the ex-wife of a beloved celebrity. Then the world stood transfixed watching a televised police chase of the famous fugitive through Los Angeles. It seemed like a mountain of evidence would convict OJ Simpson for the murders of Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. But his aggressive defense team attacked the science and the motivations of a problematic detective. It all led to a bombshell verdict that divided the country a...

Jan 29, 202536 minSeason 8Ep. 3

Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever

After making his fortune in tech, Bryan Johnson has set his sights on an even more valuable goal: finding a fountain of youth through cutting-edge science. Employing a mix of smoothies, fitness, regimented sleep, high-tech therapies, and more than 100 pills and supplements, Bryan has been able to slow the aging rate of his body. His Blueprint Protocol has earned him lots of attention, and lots of derision from those who see his quest as folly. And Bryan’s pursuit of even more radical techniques ...

Jan 22, 202532 minSeason 8Ep. 2

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action

Jerry Springer’s dull new talk show was relegated to an overnight time slot and the likelihood of cancellation. But when he teamed up with a new executive producer - one with a taste for the sensational - the show evolved into a must-watch television circus. And when guests started punching each other, the ratings went through the roof. The Netflix documentary series Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action revisits the outrageous talk show, zooming in on the relationship between its affable host ...

Jan 15, 202532 minSeason 8Ep. 1

BONUS | American Nightmare

On today’s episode, we take a look back at one of our favorite documentaries from 2024: the Netflix series American Nightmare. Host Rebecca Lavoie talks to filmmakers Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched American Nightmare yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Jan 08, 202538 min

BONUS | American Criminal: Crypto Criminals

In the documentary, The Biggest Heist Ever, we learned about Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein, who were accused of conspiring to launder $4.5 billion in stolen bitcoin. But this is just a peek into the world of crytpto criminals and the people who track them. Today we're bringing you a recent episode from our friends at American Criminal, where each week host Jeremy Schwartz takes you inside the minds of some of America's most notorious felons and outlaws. In this episod...

Jan 01, 202535 min

The Six Triple Eight

At the height of World War II, transporting the mail to GIs took a back seat to moving supplies to the front. Soon, millions of letters and packages were piling up with no one to sort them. Commanders reluctantly gave the job to a battalion of Black female soldiers, convinced the task would be too much for them. Despite facing racism and sexism - and grueling working conditions - the women of the Six Triple Eight accomplished their mission, re-establishing an important connection between the hom...

Dec 23, 202425 minSeason 7Ep. 44

BONUS | Squid Game: The Official Podcast S2 Trailer

Let the new games begin! Starting Thursday, December 26th, join hosts Phil Yu (aka “Angry Asian Man”) and Kiera Please as they dive into each episode of Squid Game Season 2. Joined by a lineup of special guests, they’ll unpack the deadly new challenges, explore the layered characters, and debate the moral dilemmas that will leave you questioning everything. From Gi-hun’s relentless quest for justice to the rise of new players and the dark secrets behind the games, Phil and Kiera will break it al...

Dec 18, 20242 min

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga

Kevin Curtis was one half of a double Elvis tribute act, living in the Mississippi birthplace of the King. But after he stumbled onto what he thought was a black market organ harvesting scheme, Kevin went down a rabbit hole of conspiracy and on a quest to root out corruption. As his paranoia grew, threatening letters, sprinkled with deadly ricin, turned up at the offices of his enemies - as well as the White House. The Netflix documentary series The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga tells t...

Dec 11, 202439 minSeason 7Ep. 43

Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey

The 1996 murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey gripped the nation with its unusual twists. The bizarre ransom note…the uncooperative parents…and those child beauty pageants! The police, the press, and the public all focused on John and Patsy Ramsey and whether they staged the break-in, assault, and murder of their daughter. But even though all the physical evidence pointed to an intruder, years later many still believe the family was involved. The Netflix documentary series Cold Case: Who Kille...

Dec 04, 202433 minSeason 7Ep. 42

BONUS | The Piano Lesson: The Official Podcast

On this episode, we’ll turn things over to one of our sister shows “The Piano Lesson: The Official Podcast.” Host Jazmine Hughes looks at the making of the The Piano Lesson, talks to actors, and discusses August Wilson’s plays about the Black American experience in the 20th century. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Piano Lesson yet, make sure to add it to your watch list before listening. You can listen to “The Piano Lesson: The Official Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever ...

Nov 27, 202438 min

SPRINT Part 2

They train for a lifetime, all for ten seconds at glory. But who will take the gold on track’s biggest stage: the Paris Olympiad? Will it be the brash Noah Lyles, the earnest Kenny Bednarek, or the enigmatic Kishane Thompson? Can Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce grab a medal at her fifth games? Or will up-and-comers like Sha’carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson take her place at the top of the sport? Or will Julien Alfred shock the world by earning her tiny island nation’s first ever Olympic medal? The ...

Nov 20, 202439 minSeason 7Ep. 41

BONUS | The Diplomat: The Official Podcast

In this episode, we’re turning things over to one of our sister shows, The Diplomat: The Official Podcast. Host Baroness Ayesha Hazarika talks with actors, producers, and real-life diplomats for a deeper look into the show's creation and the real-life inspirations that shaped the storylines in season 2 of The Diplomat. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Diplomat season 2 episode 2, titled "St. Paul's," make sure to add it to your watch list on Netflix before listening to this episode. You...

Nov 13, 202430 min

Simone Biles Rising | Part 2

After a 2020 Olympic performance marked by disappointment, questions lingered on whether the most decorated gymnast of all time would ever return to the world stage. But Simone Biles was determined to go out on top and capture gold in Paris. With the glare of the world upon her, and not feeling 100%, Biles took this summer’s XXXIII Olympiad by storm. Her story resumes in Simone Biles Rising Part 2. The series follows the acclaimed athlete as she overcomes challenges both physical and personal. I...

Nov 06, 202437 minSeason 7Ep. 40

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

Mats Steen appeared to live a life of isolation. A Norwegian teen suffering from a degenerative muscle disease, reliant on adaptive technologies, Mats spent all of his time on his computer. It wasn’t until he died at age 25 that his parents learned what he’d been doing. The gamers did not know Mats’s medical condition. Instead, they knew him as Ibelin: a brawny medieval nobleman in search of adventure. The online players regarded Ibelin as a caring friend, a ladies man, and someone whose advice ...

Oct 30, 202437 minSeason 7Ep. 39

I AM A KILLER

What goes through the mind of a killer just as they take a life? And how do they feel about their actions after spending years in prison? Season five of the Netflix documentary series I AM A KILLER explores those questions, allowing admitted killers to talk about their crimes and reflect on how taking a life has changed them. But their tales don’t go unchallenged. Investigators, prosecutors, and loved ones hear their words and respond - some with forgiveness, some with a fact check on what reall...

Oct 23, 202435 minSeason 7Ep. 38

Starting 5

In a league filled with superstars, they stand out among the rest. But what does it take to achieve greatness in the NBA, as well as away from the court where you can’t call a timeout in real life? The ten-part Netflix sports series Starting 5 provides an intense, behind-the-scenes look at the 2023-24 season through the eyes of five of the league’s biggest players - Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum. The series captures their battles on and off the c...

Oct 16, 202435 minSeason 7Ep. 37

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 3

Part 3: Hope for the Future. Today, over 30 years after their crime, Lyle and Erik feel they have healed and evolved. Alejandro learns how they've spent decades in search of peace and fulfillment in their lives behind bars. The brothers speak on the renewed interest in their case spawned from social media sites like TikTok, and share their hopes for the future. As their hours of conversation come to an end, Alejandro reflects on how his journey with the Menendez Brothers has personally impacted ...

Oct 09, 202435 min

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 2

Part 2: The Legends of the Father. Alejandro dives deeper into the legacy of what it means to be a Menendez, the legend that Lyle and Erik’s father, Josè, created around their bloodline, and what it would ultimately drive his sons to do. All the while, as he develops a closer relationship with them, Alejandro reckons with his understanding of the brothers and their crime. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com....

Oct 09, 202444 min

The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast | Part 1

Part 1: The First Call. In the first of this three part mini-series, Alejandro Hartmann, the director of The Menendez Brothers documentary, takes us on his journey to reach Lyle and Erik Menendez and convince them to be interviewed for the documentary. The Menendez brothers are serving life without parole for the 1989 murder of their parents inside the walls of the family’s Beverly Hills mansion. They haven't spoken together about their case since first being incarcerated. Through hours of candi...

Oct 09, 202443 min

Introducing The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast

It was the trial that rocked the nation. Two brothers from Beverly Hills, convicted of murdering their parents. Lyle and Erik Menendez are serving life in prison without parole. But their crime was more than 30 years ago. Was justice served? And who are the Menendez brothers today? In this preview of the companion podcast to the new Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers, filmmaker Alejandro Hartmann takes us behind-the-scenes on his quest to build a relationship with the two brothers. Throu...

Oct 07, 20247 min

Jailbreak: Love on the Run

Vicky White was well-liked and respected by her co-workers in the Alabama jail she ran, and by the inmates she supervised. They were shocked when, on one of her last days on the job, she vanished with accused murderer Casey White. It wasn’t until later authorities discovered the pair had a secret relationship for years, and they escaped so they could finally be together. After eleven days on the run, the manhunt came to a tragic end. Through surveillance video and audio from their secret phone c...

Oct 02, 202431 minSeason 7Ep. 36

BONUS | Forgive Me For I Have Followed

The new podcast Forgive Me For I Have Followed builds on Netflix’s Dancing for the Devil, delving into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. Shinn founded Shekinah Church in LA over two decades ago, before establishing 7M Films, and is named in a civil lawsuit alleging abuse and "cult-like" behavior. In this, the premiere episode, co-host and former member Kailea Gray shares her personal perspective. Joined by co-host and Dancing for the Devil Exe...

Sep 25, 202441 min

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

Cathy Terkanian learned the daughter she gave up for adoption decades earlier vanished under mysterious circumstances while a teenager. When Cathy began her own investigation into the disappearance, she learned police dismissed the involvement of the violent predator living in the home Aundria Bowman grew up in. Her birth mother dedicated herself to getting Aundria’s adoptive parents to reveal the truth about what happened. Then, after years of persistence, an unlikely discovery broke the case w...

Sep 18, 202434 minSeason 7Ep. 35

UNTOLD: Sign Stealer

Michigan football assistant Connor Stalions had an uncanny knack for the art of sign stealing - the perfectly legal practice of deciphering opponents’ signals to gain an on-field advantage. Stalions credited hard work and research for his success. But the NCAA believed he’d broken the rules by sending friends and family to other games to illegally scout teams in advance. The scandal rocked the sport, launched a thousand memes, forced Stalions out of football, and cast a cloud over Michigan’s und...

Sep 11, 202439 minSeason 7Ep. 34

UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair

On July 4, 2009, former NFL MVP quarterback Steve “Air” McNair and 20-year-old Sahel “Jenny” Kazemi were found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at a Nashville townhouse. The deaths shocked the sports world. While the police declared the pair died by Jenny’s hand, others say the investigation was botched and other suspects were dismissed too quickly. Volume four of the acclaimed Netflix sports series, UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair takes viewers through the pivotal moments of the investigation...

Sep 04, 202434 minSeason 7Ep. 33