Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

The small town of Circleville, Ohio is, in most respects, a normal place. It has all the usual trappings of a small community: churches, grocery stores... and a few skeletons in the figurative closet. Back in the 1970s, it was terrorized by a series of strange, anonymous letters threatening to expose some of the town's most scandalous secrets. In today's episode, Ben and Matt dive into the mystery of the Circleville letters -- a mystery that remains, to some, unsolved in the modern day. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 many governments has the US overthrown? In today's special episode, we're sharing an excerpt from our upcoming Stuff They Don't Want You To Know audiobook. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 wake of a horrific civil war, El Salvador found itself confronted with enormously pervasive, deadly gang activity -- it seemed the official law enforcement channels were often incapable of fighting back against the flood of crime. Until, that is, a new organization came out of the shadows -- unaccountable to authorities, unstoppable, and brutal. Today's question: What is La Sombra Negra? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 self-assured academics believed Troy was a mythological city -- until, that is, the ruins were discovered. Over the span of history, the human species has lost people, cities and entire civilizations. Occasionally, governments don't want these lost empires to be found. So what happens when a controversial linguist claims to discover an ancient people spanning Iran to Southern China? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 began, officially, in 2017 -- multiple US government employees stationed abroad began reporting eerily similar symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to intense headaches and debilitating ringing in the ears. Soon this became known as "Havana Syndrome." So what, exactly, is it? This question has fascinated Ben, Matt and Noel almost as much as today's special guest, Jack O'Brien. In today's episode, the guys team up to separate fact from fiction in this strange, ongoing saga. (Bonus: We quiz Jack on conspiracies at the end). They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 conman in Kansas has just been sent to prison for a long series of illegal autopsy schemes. Self-appointed technocrats float the idea of poor people functioning as NPCs online. The Pentagon, in a stunning damage control initiative, pledges to conduct a 'sweeping review' of their own, ongoing psyop activities -- spoiler, this last story affects you directly. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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.

Seven shares his inside experience working in the space industry. Alice writes to explain the tricky issue of translation applied to the Quran. Tyler points out the ocean is littered with shipwrecks... and there may be dangerous consequences for this in the future. We end the whole thing with Humorous Harry's handmade, immensely groan-worthy jokes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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.

Have you ever encountered a place with an inexplicable bad vibe? Do you believe events of the past can leave an intangible mark affecting the present? In some cases, people combat these concerns through spiritually-based cleansing rituals -- but there's more to the story. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 communities in France and Spain practiced a brutal, widely-accepted system of discrimination against a group of families and individuals known as Cagots -- but who were these people? Where did they come from, and where are they now? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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.

An Oklahoma County inmate was found dead while embroiled in a case alleging he had been psychologically tortured by the "Baby Shark" song. An alleged incident of cheating in chess. In international news, the world receives stunning confirmation that the Russian government has been using dark money to twist foreign government for years ... and we still don't know just how much money we're talking. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 you're hiking through the Scottish countryside, and hear a low, long hum. You look up to see -- something. You take photos, and send them to the local newspaper. The newspaper, strangely, never publishes the story. And that's only the beginning of the Calvine UFO saga. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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.

Bad Ghost hips us to a recent plane hijacking, targeting a Walmart. Roadrunner asks where the world's most dangerous prisoners are kept. Lactrodectus inspires an upcoming episode on conspiracies surrounding food deserts. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 makes one belief system a religion, and another a cult? How can non-religious organization themselves be cults? In part two of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore modern cultic organizations. Warning: this episode not be appropriate for all listeners. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 various groups claimed they'd discovered the remnants of Noah's Ark, the legendary wooden ship of Biblical fame. Despite controversy, skepticism and numerous dead ends, the search continues into the present day. And, what's more, several Ark hunters believe there's a conspiracy afoot -- the secular world knows the Ark is real, they argue, but work to suppress the truth. 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.

Turtles and turkeys attack humans. Kangaroos overrun a small Australian town. A man in Japan loses his hologram wife when a company stops supporting her software. Out in space, NASA's ambitious DART program aims to alter the direction of a near-Earth asteroid. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 makes one belief system a religion, and another a cult? How can non-religious organization themselves be cults? In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel explore modern cultic organizations. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 first-hand account of finding poop in the mail. A deep dive into the world of spycraft and software. An exploration of the facts behind rare blood types. All this and more in this week's listener mail. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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.

Have you ever spoken with a spy? How do you use critical thinking to cut past the noise of mass media and propaganda? In today's interview, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome special guest Jordan Harbinger to discuss his incredible adventures in North Korea, his deep-dive conversations with everyone from celebrities to spies and defectors, as well as his approach to critical thinking -- and much, much more. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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 the old stories of Viking Berserkers to the rise of the Assassins and more, humanity has spent millennia using drugs as a way to explore spirituality, repair the body -- and, sometimes, to gain an edge in combat. But how prevalent was this practice? How does it continue 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 Governor of Mississippi warns people to avoid drinking any water from Jackson. A Texas law accidentally flags the bible -- and Florida rejects other dictionary donations due to a similar policy. Should plants have legal rights? It's a debate that may be on the horizon. All this and more in this week's Strange News. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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, locals near England's B3212 spun a strange tale: a pair of disembodied hands might just take the wheel while you're driving -- and you just might crash. But how did this story come about? Why are so many people convinced they've encountered the infamous Hairy Hands? They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour.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.

Janky Jay has a chance encounter with the ghost in her machine, Al sends us down a Swedenborg rabbit hole and the Baron Upon Eaton relays an ancient vision of Venus. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour. q42Jk3hzLwhkSAHQx9CjThey 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 the War on Drugs continues, cartels have grown from street-level gangs to something like corporations, complete with diversified portfolios of criminal activity. In today's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore what happens when organized crime functions as a corporate entity -- and what happens when cartels begin to supplant actual governments. They don’t want you to read our book. They don’t want you to see us on tour. 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 many secret military bases exist around the world? How many of those are active, and how many abandoned? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore both the specific discovery of Project Iceworm and the larger practice of building top-secret bases around the globe.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 disgruntled man takes revenge on politicians by mailing feces. Meta (formerly Facebook) is under scrutiny after sharing info that led law enforcement to investigate someone for the now-illegal act of abortion. Amazon's proposed purchase of iRobot, the maker of Roomba, has privacy advocates furious -- and they're concerned about something much more dangerous than an automated vacuum. 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 humanity pushes ever closer to global catastrophe -- and non-human life on planet Earth struggles to survive -- a growing body of experts argue for any number of strategies to repair and maintain the world's ecosystems. In recent decades, more and more individuals and communities have deployed a new (or very, very old) approach to sustainable life on Earth: a system called permaculture. But what is it, exactly?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 various individuals and organizations with the Catholic Church were dogged by rumors of horrific abuse – and, eventually, it turned out that several of those rumors were true. But how far back does this abuse go, and how widespread is it? 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.

Since 2002, the International Criminal Court has served as a "court of last resort" with a jurisdiction that spans the globe from its headquarters in The Hague. It investigates crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity and more. It has a near-global reach -- with some notable exceptions. Back when the court formed, several countries refused to sign on, and the US went even further, passing a law that said "look, if you try to touch any US national, we are invading your court." Today's question: Would they really do 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.

Tucked away in a stretch of rural land in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, the radio quiet zone is 13,000 square miles of near-total electronic silence. What’s going on in this area where cellphones don’t work and microwaves are illegal? 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.

We've all seen truth serum in any number of big screen thrillers, or read about it in fanciful crime novels. A spy, a terrorist, even a high-ranking politician gets shot up with a mysterious substance that has them, despite all their efforts, revealing top-secret information: the location of a hidden treasure, the codes to a nuclear weapon, the true identity of a mysterious mob kingpin. But is there a real truth serum -- a genuine chemical that could make you conspire against yourself? In this episode, Ben and Matt find out. 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 common are psychopaths? Is it possible that you've met one? Join the guys as they explore the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding one of the world's most widely misunderstood mental illnesses.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.

These days, it's common knowledge that governments hide any number of things from the public -- but how deep does the rabbit hole go? According to Bob Lazar, the US government has been hiding the existence of extraterrestrials for decades (if not longer). In today's episode, Ben and Matt explore Lazar's claims, his critics -- and the vast conspiracy Bob believes exists, largely unknown to the public, 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.

In the wee hours of February 25th, 1942, air raid sirens resounded across LA. Anti-aircraft guns fired the better part of 1500 shells at something. To many people, that mysterious UFO has yet to be identified, more than half a century later. So what really happened?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 nearly half a century people around the world have believed the moon landing was faked. If that were true, how could people possibly perpetrate such a massive hoax? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they interview Matt Johnson about his film Operation Avalanche.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 fellow Conspiracy Realist shares first-hand experiences with Big Brother at your Job. K Dubs calls in with more info about the dangers of privatized testing in the private sphere. Naked Mole Rat writes in with a crucial clarification on the guy's earlier conversation about Guinea Pigs. 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 the politics of Arkansas to the heights of Presidential power, Bill and Hillary Clinton have become one of the world's most influential political power couples -- and, along the way, they've garnered a ton of allegations and accusations. In part two of this series, Ben and Matt dive into the allegations surrounding Whitewater, financial shenanigans and 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.

From the politics of Arkansas to the heights of Presidential power, Bill and Hillary Clinton have become one of the world's most influential political power couples -- and, along the way, they've garnered a ton of allegations and accusations. But how many of these are true, and how many are smear campaigns and conspiracy theories? In part one of this two-part series, the guys dive into the world of Clinton conspiracies.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.

Could your favorite sports be fixed? Join Ben, Matt and Noel for their continuing interview with author Brian Tuohy as they explore the murky world behind the sports headlines - a world comprised of illegal gambling, extortion, blackmail and organized crime.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.

Alex Jones faces the latest legal proceedings regarding Sandy Hook. Rainwater across the world is riddled with harmful chemicals. A mysterious sinkhole emerges in Chile. 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.

It's true: financial institutions are, indeed, buying up homes and turning them into rentals. But should this be a cause for concern? In the second part of this two-part series, the guys look at the strategy these companies use when choosing homes (or entire neighborhoods), as well as how this came about, and what it means for the average homebuyer competing in the same areas.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 caller prompts a conversation about the booming black market for airbags. It seems some power companies are using smart thermometers to mess with their customer's temperature settings. Over in Australia, multiple Conspiracy Realists are startled to find the infamous case of the Somerton Man might just be solved. 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.

Across the United States, would-be homebuyers are telling a similar story: after weeks or months of searching, they finally find a home they can afford -- only to be outbid by another buyer, often offering to pay in cash, at thousands of dollars above the asking price. What's going on? According to multiple reports, the answer isn't just wealthy families -- instead, they argue, financial institutions are moving in, buying up not just homes, but entire neighborhoods. Is this just a rumor? Is there something more to the story? Tune in to find out in 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.

Could it be possible that your favorite sports are fixed? Join the guys as they interview Brian Tuohy, author of The Fix is In, on the murky connections between sports, gambling, politics and organized crime in the first part of this two-episode 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.

The founder of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers buys a lottery ticket for all 50,000 of his employees. Observers are baffled by a series of mysterious holes in the ocean floor. Perhaps most disturbingly, a new algorithm created over at the University of Chicago seems to accurately predict crimes a week before they occur -- and exposes deep biases in law enforcement. 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.

To some, Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies are the future of finance, deregulated and free from the problems of the existing financial others. To critics, they're little more than a bad investment or an outright ponzi scheme. But what happens when the coins begin to crash? In today's episode, the guys explore what led to the ongoing Bitcoin crash -- and why some believe there's more to the story.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.

Poppy Hotdog asks whether the recent Supreme Court comes from an ulterior motive. Conspiracy Realists share experiences with a brutal -- at times conspiratorial -- housing market. Earth Shaman inspires a realistic exploration of the reality of self-sustaining communities. 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.

Recently, Google engineer Blake Lemoine made international news with his claims that the company's creation LaMDA - Launguage Model for Dialogue Applications - has become sentient. While Google does describe LaMDA as "breakthrough conversation technology," the company does not agree with Lemoine -- to say the least. In part two of this two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the critics' responses -- as well as Lemoine and LaMDA's takes. (Note: shortly after this recording, Lemoine was officially fired from Google.)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.

Cannibalism is an ancient taboo, but how often has it actually occurred? Join the guys in this classic episode as they explore the grisly rumors and frightening facts behind history’s stories of cannibalism.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.

Amazon has been giving Ring videos to law enforcement, without the consent of the owners. Someone in LA stole millions' dollars worth of jewelry from a Brinks armored truck. Over in Russia, two politicians are claiming the government of Ukraine, with the help of the US, is experimenting on soldiers. The West keeps calling these alleged supersoldiers 'mutants' -- problem is, that's not what the Russians said, at all. Tune in for 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.

Recently, Google engineer Blake Lemoine made international news with his claims that the company's creation LaMDA - Launguage Model for Dialogue Applications - has become sentient. While Google does describe LaMDA as "breakthrough conversation technology," the company does not agree with Lemoine -- to say the least. In part one of this two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the nature of sentience, along with the statements of not just Google and Lemoine -- but LaMDA itself.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.