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Fiasco

Fiasco

Pushkin Industries

43 episodesEN-USserial

Show overview

Fiasco has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 43 episodes, alongside 14 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 30 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence, with the show now in its 4th season.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 34 min and 53 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Government show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 months ago, with 3 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 18 episodes published. Published by Pushkin Industries.

Episodes
43
Running
2023–2026 · 3y
Median length
46 min
Cadence
Monthly

From the publisher

Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country's most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present.  Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history. Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t.  Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus

Latest Episodes

View all 43 episodes

Introducing... Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer

Apr 13, 20265 min

From Business History: De-Nazifying the Love Bug: The VW Beetle Story Part II

bonus

We're sharing an episode from another Pushkin podcast, Business History. Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the archives of commerce and finance.It's 1945. The Volkswagen factory has been bombed and members of the staff have been arrested as war criminals. So how did the company turn around in just a few years and begin making Beetle cars that became a global sensation? Big political and economic moves helped - but a British Army officer, Walt Disney and a New York ad agency also played pivotal roles in turning a car that Hitler had championed into the favourite ride of surfers, school teachers and hippies.    This is part 2 of a two-part series. Check out part 1 from last week. Find more episodes of Business History on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 21, 202642 min

From Business History: Hitler's Gift to the Hippies: The VW Beetle Story Part I

bonus

We're sharing an episode from another Pushkin podcast, Business History. Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the archives of commerce and finance.The VW Beetle was the biggest selling car of all time, and it found particular favor with people like hippies and surfers. But this icon of the 60s counterculture had its roots in Nazism. The Volkswagen—the People's Car—was an obsession of Adolf Hitler. He wanted to transform Germany into a land of drivers—and needed an affordable, but reliable automobile. Germany's private auto manufacturers knew the project was doomed to failure. So Hitler assembled a team of designers and factory managers to enact his vision - even if that meant enslaving workers and committing murder. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Find part 2 here next Wednesday. Find more episodes of Business History on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 14, 202633 min

S4 Ep 6Benghazi: Episode 6 - Radicals

E

The Tea Party takes over the search for the truth about Benghazi, while the FBI pursues a Libyan militia leader suspected of planning the attack.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 6, 20251h 8m

S4 Ep 5Benghazi: Episode 5 - Greatest Hits

E

As the political world looks toward the 2016 Presidential election, Benghazi becomes a Clinton scandal. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 29, 202558 min

S4 Ep 4Benghazi: Episode 4 - Feckless

E

How the attack in Benghazi collided with an American election, and how the seeds of a scandal were planted.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 22, 202553 min

S4 Ep 3Benghazi: Episode 3 - Barefoot

E

An anti-Islamic video sparks protests in the Middle East, and the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi comes under attack.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 15, 202552 min

S4 Ep 2Benghazi: Episode 2 - We Will Stay Here

E

Libya is swept up in a wave of revolution, and an American diplomat makes his mark on Benghazi. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 8, 202557 min

S4 Ep 1Benghazi: Episode 1 - The Dictator

E

How a prison massacre carried out under Libya’s long-time dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, set the stage for the Benghazi attack. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 8, 202548 min

Introducing Fiasco: Benghazi

trailer

Fiasco: Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this season visit: bit.ly/fiascopoliticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 25, 20253 min

S3 Ep 8Iran Contra: Episode 8 - Pardon Me

How George H.W. Bush ended Iran-Contra. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopoliticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 202550 min

S3 Ep 7Iran Contra: Episode 7 - Olliewood

How Hollywood tried to capitalize on Iran-Contra -- and why the story didn’t take. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopoliticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 19, 202538 min

S3 Ep 6Iran Contra: Episode 6 - Fault Lines

How the Iran-Contra hearings made Oliver North an icon, and got Ronald Reagan off the hook.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopoliticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 12, 202545 min

S3 Ep 5Iran Contra: Episode 5 - All Out

E

How the Reagan administration tried to prevent the Iran scandal from becoming a second Watergate.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopoliticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 202541 min

S3 Ep 4Iran Contra: Bonus - Bombs, Drugs, and the Contra War

bonus

A bonus interview with journalists Martha Honey and Tony Avirgan. Honey and Avirgan tell Leon about their time reporting on the Contra war from the southern front in Costa Rica. For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this season visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Iran Contra, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 28, 202534 min

S3 Ep 4Iran Contra: Episode 4 - Diverted

How Oliver North decided to do a little multitasking -- and ended up on a plane to Tehran.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Iran Contra, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 21, 202546 min

S3 Ep 3Iran Contra: Episode 3 - Contra Dance

How the United States got involved in a not-so-secret secret war in Nicaragua.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Iran Contra, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 14, 202541 min

S3 Ep 2Iran Contra: Episode 2 - Trade Secrets

How the Reagan administration landed in a hostage crisis…and extended a hand to one of America’s sworn enemies.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Iran Contra, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 7, 202548 min

S3 Ep 1Iran Contra: Episode 1 - Get Me Kevin Kattke

How a crew of amateur spies from Long Island helped the Reagan administration set the stage for Iran-Contra.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this episode visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Iran Contra, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 7, 202541 min

Iran Contra: A New Introduction from Leon Neyfakh

bonus

Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country’s most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present. Fiasco: Iran-Contra tells the story of a secret war, a secret deal, and a foreign policy scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency — until it didn’t.For a list of books, documentaries and resources we used to research this season visit: bit.ly/fiascopolitics Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Iran Contra, ad-free, right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 7, 20256 min
2026 Prologue Projects