Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

The danger of the current Supreme Court poses an actionable threat to the American public. Authorities warn of 'zombie deer,' and a border security group wants more funding to fight cigarette smuggling, which they frame as related to terrorism. 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 information.

Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they interview Payne Lindsey, the creator of Atlanta Monster and Up and Vanished, for a behind-the-scenes look at Payne's process for developing these shows (as well as a sneak peek on Up and Vanished Season 2).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.

Whatnot is suspicious of a 'free tablet' offer from a company with unfavorable customer reviews. Anon and Kimo respond to the earlier conversation about burn pits and exposure to toxic substances -- including pills provided by Uncle Sam. Up in New Jersey, Hoboken Johnny asks for more awareness of controversial grifts and graft, prompting a stunning conversation about the role of state and religion in America. 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.

The story of human history is also a story of symbiosis -- since ancient days, humans and plants have grown in step with each other. Yet more and more scientists, philosophers and scholars are asking whether civilization has misunderstood this relationship: What if, instead of humans domesticating plants, they've been domesticating us the entire time? Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the concept of a bizarre, ongoing, plant-led conspiracy.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.

The Ark of the Covenant is the legendary wooden chest said to hold Ten Commandments, engraved on stone tablets. For thousands of years people have searched for the Ark with little to no success. However, according to the guardians of The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, the ark itself has been hidden in Ethiopia for millennia.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.

Mortgage company Mr. Cooper goes public with a cyber attack that compromised millions of customers' personal data. Scientists in the Mediterranean spot a dolphin that appears to have 'thumbs' - possibly atavistic traits prompting a conversation about evolution and pollution. As instability mounts in the Red Sea, the US military announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international initiative to combat attacks on shipping vessels. The operation has already drawn controversy as several involved countries asked not to be named -- and critics wonder whether this represents an escalation into widespread war across an already unstable region. 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 information.

Belief in supernatural, divine beings like angels dates back into antiquity and occurs throughout numerous religions. Even in the modern day, numerous Americans are convinced that angels (or something like them) exist and intervene in human affairs. So, outside of anecdotes and personal opinion, is there any proof these creatures exist? To one enormously influential scientist, magician and philosopher, Angels left one indisputable proof of their existence: A secret language, predating humanity -- one with the power to reveal the secrets of the universe. Listen in to learn more about Enochian language and John Dee.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.

How long do humans have left on Earth? As species go, humanity has had a brief, incredibly transformative run here on Earth. We've mined resources, farmed food, hunted animals, built cities and polluted ecosystems across the globe. There's no denying we've also made tremendous technological breakthroughs -- but could some of those same innovations ultimately become the agents of our collective demise? Join the guys as they interview Stuff You Should Know cohost Josh Clark about the science behind his newest podcast, The End Of The World.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.

If you're an American, you're probably familiar with the famous 'Satanic Panic' of the 80s and 90s -- but did you know Italy experienced something extremely similar? And, even crazier, did you know that Italy has a documented case of an active Satanic conspiracy? Listen in to learn more.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.

RedScotWitch replies to the witch hunt episode, and prompts a conversation about speaking with the dead. Kitty asks for more information about the relationship between cochlear implants and the phenomenon of hearing voices. In a stunning first-hand account, JayBird reveals the hidden war over control of Earth's lithium. 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.

Humans are phenomenally inventive creatures -- problem is, some of their inventions may end up disrupting the status quo. As we explore the history of inventors, we find history is riddled with mysterious deaths, con artists, shady business and countless allegations of conspiracy. How many of these strange stories could be true? Tune in for the first installment of this ongoing series: Mysterious Inventors.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.

In the era of the Cold War, intelligence agencies on both sides of the iron curtain desperately raced to secure any possible technological advantage, even if it meant breaking the law along the way. Join the guys as they interview filmmaker Bret Wood, the creator of The Control Group podcast, about the real-life events that inspired the first fiction podcast by HowStuffWorks.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.

A recent lawsuit alleges the state of Alabama actively conspires to force incarcerated people into slavery under a crooked 'work release' program -- and keeps these people imprisoned to guarantee the grift. The UK seizes multiple US products due to illegal ingredients. The US Congress shuts down a bill that would have drastically expanded surveillance power against residents. 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 information.

Glenn Miller was an international superstar when he abruptly decided to dissolve his band and join the US military during WWII. While his songs were still being played across the world, he took a last-minute flight from England to France... and disappeared. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the mystery, asking a question that remains officially unsolved in the modern day: What happened to Glenn Miller?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.

Mark writes in with information about dangerous chemical exposure to veterans. North Ireland Fan asks why her government wants everyone to buy candles. Big Purp prompts a conversation about North Sentinel Island and the nature of language. Ground Control and Soup Sandwich share their first-hand experiences with airplane safety. 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.

All of human history is, at heart, a tale of people attempting to cheat death -- and, up to now, everyone has failed to do so. But what if emergent technology may allow us to, in a way, bring back the dead? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the concept of Grief Tech. One day soon, ghosts may become real... and we'll be the ones building them.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.

On the surface, NXVIM seemed like any other multi-level marketing company or self-help group. It offered numerous development seminars and executive success programs, just like those of other, similar institutions. Yet NXVIM had a sinister side, a hidden circle in which abuse, sexual slavery, fraud and physical branding were commonplace. Tune in as the guys answer the question: At what point does a company move from being an MLM to becoming a cult?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.

23andMe reacts to a massive hack compromising information of customers across the world. Benevolent trolls infiltrate the telegram channels of the QAnon Queen. Career US diplomat Victor Manuel Rocha is charged with spying for Cuba -- for more than forty years! 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 information.

While there are many forms of government they all have one thing in common: they make the rules. In theory, they maintain order and safety as well. But how far could a government go to defend what it sees as the 'Greater Good?' In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the infamous global kidnapping phenomenon known as extraordinary rendition. What is this cross-country conspiracy? How did it start? What are the consequences in the modern day?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.

The Turd Herder calls in to speak about UV light and water treatment. Agent 907 asks about the Mandela effect. Anonymous describes issues with Google Maps, and GPS overall. Elijah and several other sources ask for more information about the accelerating potential -- and potential for conspiracy -- surrounding research into AI: What if something 'wakes up'? 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.

Since 2005 -- officially -- the United States has conducted a training program known as Exercise Flintlock. This program, which has multiple partners in various roles, aims to educate and prepare forces in Africa's Sahel region against the growing threat of non-state actors and terrorists. Proponents argue it saves lives. Critics allege it's another School of the Americas... and that the US may well be creating the same villains it claims to fight.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.

Henry Kissinger has worn many hats over the course of his long life. To some, his geopolitical career is a study in the ruthless, brilliant application of realpolitik. To others, he is a war criminal responsible for massive waves of death in multiple countries across the globe. Join the guys as they delve into the strange, at times disturbing career of Henry Kissinger -- including the Stuff He Doesn't Want You To Know. On the heels of Kissinger's death, the guys revisit this Classic episode.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.

A naked man causes chaos at Disney. Saudi Arabia courts controversy with a program meant to hook developing countries on fossil fuels. A recent UK investigation finds the infamous necrophiliac, rapist and murder David Fuller was allowed to commit heinous crimes for well over a decade -- prompting the question: Why do these individuals seem to operate with impunity, so often, in that country? 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 information.

Named for the orange stripe lining the 55 gallon barrels containing this herbicide and defoliant, Agent Orange was one of the most widely-used "rainbow herbicides" of the Vietnam war. But it wasn't just harmful to plants. Soon after it was deployed in Vietnam, Vietnamese citizens and US veterans alike reported crippling, life-threatening symptoms.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.

Legendary auteur Stanley Kubrick is considered one of the most important single individuals in the history of modern film. There’s no question that his techniques, approach and body of work have influenced countless filmmakers -- but, according to some people -- he’s affected the public in much more disturbing ways. Join the guys as they dive into the conspiratorial allegations surrounding Stanley Kubrick.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.

Most people are familiar with some version of "hypnosis" -- at least as it's portrayed in fiction. But what is hypnosis, exactly? Why did this fancy name for a trance state become such an infamous term, and why have so many people made extravagant claims about the concept? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the fact and fiction surrounding 'hypnosis' -- spoiler: the trance state is real, and a lot of people conspire to make money off it.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.

India controls numerous islands in the Indian Ocean, and they have a strange set of rules for North Sentinel Islands -- a tiny, remote place most people wouldn't visit anyway. You see, the Indian government maintains a 'zone of exclusion' surrounding the island, with no ships, helicopters or people allowed within miles of the shore. Ordinarily one might assume this is a secret military base or the site of an environmental disaster -- but the real answer is even stranger. Tune into to learn more about the mystery of North Sentinel Island.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.

In the U.S. doctors often prescribe opioids for pain management, and it's no secret that these substances are a big business for pharmaceutical companies -- and, increasingly, it's no secret that exposure to these legal pills are turning patients into unwilling addicts. So how exactly did the U.S. come to find itself in the grip of an opioid epidemic, and who should be held responsible? Perhaps most importantly, how can the nation recover?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.

On September 16, 1994, teachers and school officials at the Ariel School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe were amazed when the school's students reported that a flying object had landed on the school grounds. What makes this sighting unique? What differentiates it from other UFO reports? Join the guys as they interview Randall Nickerson about his investigation of the sighting, and his upcoming documentary on the Ariel School UFO encounter.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.

Lord of Enjoyment calls in with some additional context on the Tyson chicken nugget recall. A letter prompts a conversation about the controversy surrounding the Balfour Declaration. Multiple anonymous sources prove the problem of contamination is much, much bigger than just chicken nuggets -- and it turns out Upton Sinclair's groundbreaking novel The Jungle still matters in the modern day. 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.

Sixty years ago this week, US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. In tonight's conversation, Ben, Matt and Noel join the legendary director, actor, writer, and activist Rob Reiner to explore the assassination -- in his newest project, Rob finally answers the question: Who killed JFK? 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.

The Kennedy family is one of the most well-known and influential dynasties in US politics, and the family members are enormously wealthy. Yet despite successfully seeding nepotism at the heights of government, functioning as pseudo-celebrities and racking up substantial profits over the generations, the family has historically been fraught with personal tragedy. Join the guys as they crack the case of the Kennedy curse.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.

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 information.

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.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 for privacy information.

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 privacy information.

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.

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 Legal Guide for Presidents and Their Enemies” to learn about the history and future of pardons -- and what to expect if a standing President attempts to pardon themselves.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.

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 something much bigger, and much more dangerous, than a simple piece of helpful software. If computers begin effectively impersonating you, how will you be able to prove your own identity?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.

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/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 information.

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.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 for privacy information.

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 many people might be injured along the way. Join the guys as they explore the strange, secret story of Operation Chaos.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.

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.

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 profoundly disturbing case -- and what it tells us about the US justice system.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.

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.