Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Mortgage Man prompts an exploration of alchemy, smurfs and CERN. Summer Frog hips the gang to a controversial commune initiative in Los Angeles. Kevin writes in with a theory on obscure technology that may finally explain bizarre UFO sightings from Foo Fighters to the Korean War. 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.

On August 22nd, 1990, Cheryl Henry and Garland Atkinson set out for a night on the town. By the next morning, they had disappeared. A few hours later, police located both their abandoned car and their bodies, brutalized and discarded near the local lovers' lane. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the still-unsolved double homicide -- and whether this crime may one be solved.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.

For decades people knew that sexual abuse occurred in Tinseltown. It was an open, dirty secret just behind the curtain of the most popular films, tv and stage shows in the country. And the victims of abuse rarely spoke out -- when they did, they risked the ruination of their careers (or worse). In 2017 this began to change. World famous producer Harvey Weinstein was outed as a serial sexual and physical abuser, prompting his exile from his film company and encouraging numerous other victims of abuse to speak out. As the world wrestles with these revelations, more and more questions surface: Who knew what, and when? How far does this system go? Learn more in 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.

This week, tons of people are getting sued -- everything from Fox News to baby powder -- further, law enforcement in Oklahoma got caught planning the murder of a journalist. The FBI also followed up on long-running speculation about China running secret police stations abroad, arresting two US nationals in Manhattan. All this and more as Ben and Matt dive into 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.

Ishmael writies in about Q Hydrogen, a company that claims to have discovered a revolutionary new source of power. Batboy raises concerns about invasive species in Brooklyn. Rebel Devl sends Ben a strange tale of the Devil's Bread on a small Italian island, which sent the locals tripping for decades. 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.

At first, it sounded too good to be true: grass that never died, never wilted, and never gave way to weeds. Major league baseball hailed it as one of the greatest innovations in the world of professional sports. As thousands and thousands of 'astroturf' fields sprouted up across the US and Canada -- and then spread to playgrounds -- adults and children alike enjoyed seas of endless, verdant green. Until, that is, the reports came in. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel slide headlong into the home base of a troubling conspiracy decades in the making: Does artificial turf give you cancer?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.

As chaos reigned across the Korean peninsula from 1950 to 1953 in a war that has still not officially ended, one group of US soldiers found themselves overwhelmed by an object they couldn't identify. A sphere -- apparently metallic -- capable of changing color and moving at unimaginable angles. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the story of a UFO that may have led to the creation of Project Blue Book.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.

Sure, we worked way too hard for that pun in the title, but it's a serious question: CERN, or the European Organization for Nuclear Research is one of the world's largest, most prominent centres for scientific research. The experts at CERN use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the fundamental building blocks of matter, and over the years it's become the subject of numerous rumors, allegations, concerns and conspiracy theories. Join the guys as they delve into the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding CERN and the Large Hadron Collider.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.

When University of Vermont student Jessica Card modified a Furby to use ChatGPT, it eventually informed her of plans to take over civilization. The US is rocked by a massive intelligence leak. More news emerges about Ye's controversial Donda Academy. 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.

Even if you're not a fan of social media, you've probably heard of TikTok. In recent months, countries around the planet have enacted bans on this app, due to security concers. As we record, the US is also considered a nationwide ban on TikTok -- but, according to critics, there may be another conspiracy at play. In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore the allegations and rumors surrounding the RESTRICT Act... and what this might mean for the future of online freedom.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 Grand Canyon is a breath-taking natural formation, and every year more than 4 million people visit. Despite its popularity, areas of the canyon remain dangerously remote, and it’s no secret that numerous people have disappeared in or around the canyon over the years. But what if there was more to the story than missing couples and individuals? Is it possible that an entire civilization went missing in the canyon?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 do we ensure rulers of a country obey the laws they create? Not too long ago, the FBI ran against this question during a sting called ABSCAM. While they originally planned to bust art scams, the project grew bigger and bigger -- and, eventually, the FBI conducted sting operations on Congress. And Congress, apparently, conspired to make sure this would never happen again.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.

For centuries people in countries across the planet have reported seeing mysterious, glowing lights that appear to move of their own volition through the darkness. Whether you call them Ghost Lights, Spook Lights, Will o' the Wisps or any other number of names, chances are there's a local version of this legend somewhere in your region. So what exactly are these things?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.

Influencer Vladlen Tatarsky dies in an explosion. A serial sperm donor is sued for actively misleading clients across countries. Longtime US-based actor Steven Seagal cosigns Russian military training. 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.

Since the dawn of civilization -- and likely before -- human beings have searched for a way to commune with the dead. While the methods vary across time and cultures, the goal is always the same. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the story of the (in)famous Ouija Board, a mass-produced device that, some say, allows users to communicate with unseen entities. So: What's going on here?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.

Tone prompts a terrifying warning about the RESTRICT Act, which is being soid to the American public under false pretenses. Mohawk Mick talks about the ridiculous decision to classify Juggalos as a gang. Medic Grandma shares insider info about life as an EMT. Old Sharkjumper replies to an earlier conversation about medically-assisted suicide in Canada. 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.

It seems strange to remember that Covid-19 swept the world years ago -- and, perhaps, stranger still to realize how many questions remain about the origin of the pandemic. Recently, the head of the FBI dropped a bombshell when he went on record stating something that was, once upon a time, dismissed as a conspiracy theory: Covid-19, he claims, most likely came from a lab. So, what's going on? Tune 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.

What’s going on with all these stories about strange skeletons? From legends of the crystal skull to allegations of ancient extraterrestrial remains and giants, it seems the world is chock-full of mysterious, semi-humanoid remains. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they delve into some of the strangest cases, attempting to separate fact from fiction … and cover stories from coverups.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.

Artificial turf at Veterans Stadium has been potentially linked to the cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players. In the wake of the Nashville school shooting, some public figures are using the tragedy as a way to bolster anti-trans talking points. Over in Colombia, law enforcement confirms they've used exorcism and prayer for decades as a way to combat the occult practices of certain cartels. 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 time has come. After narrowly surviving some misadventures on the road, Ben, Matt and Noel return with a new-found appreciation of their Original Sponsor, Illumination Global Unlimited. In their first ever clip show, the guys look back on some of the many astonishing, completely real and not at all sinister products and services provided by the good [REDACTED] at Illumination Global Unlimited. Turn on the light.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 near future, your doctor may begin prescribing "smart pills" -- medicines that remain in contact with your hospital, pharmacy or doctor's office and tell your health care providers whether you're sticking to the treatment schedule, along with other medical information. To the supporters of smart pills, this is a life-saving breakthrough. To critics, however, the potential threats of this technology outweigh the benefits. Are smart pills a new way to keep patients healthy longer, or another step in the construction of a biomedical Big Brother?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 1933, a composer named Rezső Seress created one of the world's most infamous tunes -- a melancholy, mysterious piece known as "Gloomy Sunday." Over the following decades, this song became notorious for the sinister effects it had on anyone who listened to the song in full. Join the guys for a special end-of-the-year episode as they explore the story of the original recording -- where it came from, who wrote it, and, most disturbingly, why.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.

We've all seen the space-age secret bases in science fiction and blockbuster films, but could a government or corporation really build a secret, permanent deep-sea base? Where would they do it? Why? Join the guys as they dive into (get it?) the murky world of militaries beneath the waves.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.

Today's episode comes from the heart of the Cold War -- when Lionel 'Buster' Crabb disappeared on a mysterious spying mission, his relatives and colleagues refused to believe the official story. Over time, this story changed. As investigators attempted to separate fact from fiction, they found themselves stonewalled, tangled within a web of rumor, speculation and conspiracy. So what really happened to Commander Crabb?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.

Why did the US government suddenly admit it cannot identify all the strange stuff up there in the sky? It's a fascinating, disturbing question... and one that's haunted Payne Lindsey for years. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with Payne to learn more about his newest project: High Strange -- a balanced, humanistic approach to one of the enduring mysteries of the modern 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.

For decades after the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, hundreds of thousands of Americans -- and millions of people across the planet -- have had lingering, troubling problems with the US government’s official narrative of the tragedy. Now, recently declassified documents may shed light on the story, either confirming or contradicting the official tale of Kennedy’s death. Or will they?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.

As constant breakthroughs in aging science make the news and some of the world's wealthiest individuals pour millions in anti-aging start-ups, it seems increasingly likely that humans in the near future may be able to greatly slow -- or even reverse -- the process of aging. In an episode replete with multiple strange conspiracies, Ben, Matt and Noel ask what would happen. Sure, it may be possible to reverse aging, but would it actually be good for humanity?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.

What if believing in success became the same thing as succeeding? Religious figures around the world encourage their followers to equate financial donations with future material gains. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the heart of Prosperity Theology to find the facts, fiction, and the stuff Prosperian Theologists don't want you to know.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 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank -- as well as other banking institutions -- prompts intense concern about the future. The current Lt. Governor of Tennessee makes embarrassing comments online. A new study finds carcinogenic PFAS, or forever chemicals, are in every major brand of toilet paper. All this and more in this week's 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.

For some people, Witness Protection sounds like a dream come true: the government whisks you away, allowing you to start a new life completely separate from your past. But, as it turns out, there's more to this conspiracy than you might imagine. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the ins and outs of Witness Protection.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.

Brock notes a fascinating aspect of cloud-connected doorbells. Radical Moderate asks for more information about the SL-1 nuclear incident. Dr. Mantis Toboggan plays a dangerous game with ChatGPT -- 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.

Today's tale is the stuff of award-winning fiction and counterintelligence nightmares: What would you do if you learned one of the nation's top intelligence professionals had joined the other side? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the strange, disturbing case of Charles F. McGonigal.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.

For decades people around the globe have insisted that they were abducted and, via implants, tagged like animals. Join the guys as they interview documentarian Jeremy Corbell about his experience diving into the strange world of alleged abduction and implants in his new film, Patient Seventeen.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.

German researchers name a groundbreaking discovery after the legendary Keanu Reeves. YouTuber MrBeast sets his fans upon Walmart. Across the planet, Russia uses a "shadow fleet" of tankers to bypass sanctions -- no one's publicly saying who runs these groups... only that the fleet appears to be growing. All this and more in this week's 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.

Earlier this February a train carrying dangerous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. In today's episode, the guys explore what happened, why, and what it means for the future.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.

Hunter writes in with some harrowing first-hand experience fighting Super Pigs. An email inspires a deeper exploration of time traveling, subatomic particles. Ben, Matt and Noel discuss horror films. 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.

Disney parks receive millions of visitors per year, seeking fun, adventure, and magic... but what happens when something goes wrong? What's the deal with all the rumors that "no one dies at Disney?" In celebration of International Women's Day, guest hosts "Codename: Doc Holliday" and Lauren Vogelbaum take over to explore a strangest, pervasive conspiracy theory about one of the largest entertainment companies on the planet.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 2017 South Korean President Park Guen-hye was impeached and ousted from power as a result of a wide-reaching corruption scandal touching everything from big business to religion. In the aftermath, the world’s been left asking: What exactly happened? Was this another tragic case of nepotism and bribery, or … something more? Was South Korea’s President the victim of 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.

The US Marshalls got hacked. Mexican President Obrador believes in cryptids -- and tweets about it. NASA confirms success in the earlier DART attempt to knock asteroids off course. All this and more in this week's 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.

Deep in remote forests half a world away from the gilded halls of New York, Michael Rockefeller seems determined to learn as much as he can about one tribal community in particular. After his disappearance and a country-wide search, the theories begin: Did Rockefeller die? Was he murdered, then eaten? And, the strangest of all: Could he be alive today?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.

2FAB describes government preparation exercises for disasters in New Orleans. Barefootcowgirl and others break down the great Eggspiracy. Multiple folks reach out to Ben, asking: Should prisoners be allowed -- or mandated? -- to sell their organs in exchange for a reduced sentence? 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.

Michael Rockefeller was -- or is -- a descendant of one of the most powerful families in the United States. In 1961, he disappeared in a rural part of modern-day Indonesia. Decades later, the mystery remains: What happened to Michael Rockefeller? Tune in for part one of this two-part series.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.

You've probably heard of the infamous (and controversial) Bermuda Triangle, that alleged site of numerous disappearing aircraft and oceangoing vessels... but have you heard of the Dragon's Triangle, its counterpart in the Pacific Ocean? Join the guys as they dive headfirst into the conspiratorial lore surrounding vile vortices, as well as the fact -- and fiction -- surrounding the so-called Devil's Sea.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.

Australia confirms it's busted multiple spies, apparently all working for the same country. Fox News faces a defamation lawsuit that may pose a serious threat to the network. Along the US-Canadian border, experts are warning folks to be on the lookout for a new invasive species: a crossbred mix of pig that's smarter, more aggressive, highly resistant to injury -- and wreaking havoc everywhere it goes. 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.

Nowadays, most people can agree that fascism is, well, a bad thing. But back in the 1930s, life absolutely sucked for most Americans, and fascism still had a sort of new car smell. Wall Street bankers were convinced they could take their country back from the clutches of ‘class traitors’ like Roosevelt, sink the New Deal and put the United States on a better – meaning more profitable – path. They had the money. They had an army. Now all they needed was a leader. 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 1912 sinking of the Titanic left an indelible mark on Western culture, so it's no surprise that more than a decade later revisionists and fringe theorists continue to claim there's something more to the tragic story. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they take a closer look at the true story of the Titanic.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.

What do private schools and revolution have in common? The answer may surprise you. Join the guys as they bring on their intern Sam Teegardin and for a firsthand look at an strange and insidious conspiracy reaching from the Eastern US seaboard and journeying through locations across the world to fundamentally rock the political foundations of the Turkish state.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 an out-of-the-way ruin in South Africa the oldest human structure on the planet? Or did something other than humans build it? These are the rumors surrounding a place sometimes called Adam's Calendar -- but how do the rumors compare to the facts? Join Ben and Matt as they dive into the story of strange historical ruins.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.

Even without a Facebook profile, the average internet or smartphone user leaves a massive trail of digital breadcrumbs, from publicly available records to purchasing history, forum posts and GPS data -- so what happens when you try to delete this info? Join the guys as they collaborate with Part-Time Genius to explore the ins and outs of your online identity, as well as what you can -- or cannot -- actually delete from the internet.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 United States government propagandizes missions to shoot unidentified objects from the sky, while a small town in Ohio goes against rail tycoons in hopes of surviving an ecological catastrophe. All this and more in this week's 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.