You Can’t Make This Up

Forrest Fenn caught the imagination of the world when he announced he’d hidden a treasure chest filled with riches somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. All you had to do was solve a riddle to find it. The quest for gold drew many a treasure hunter into the wilderness, all with different theories on where each arcane clue should lead them. But for some, the ten-year-long hunt became an obsession, causing them to lose money, relationships, and for some, their lives. When the chest was found in 2020, rather than celebrating, many wondered if they’d been bamboozled. The Netflix series Gold and Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure brings us inside the quest to solve the million-dollar mystery. Additionally, the series features hidden clues to a whole new hunt, revealing where X marks the spot. The series tells the stories of some of the people who turned their world upside down to find a buried treasure that could change their lives. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Jared McGillard. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Gold and Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Dig deeper into all of your favorite Netflix documentaries and films at Tudum.com. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In 1969, Los Angeles was on edge after a bloody killing spree in the Hollywood Hills - one of the victims, a pregnant movie star. The killers all said they committed their crimes at the direction of their leader, Charles Manson. While the Manson Family murders still fascinate today, one question remains unanswered: how was the mastermind able to convince his followers to kill at his direction? Was his charismatic hold that strong? Or did Manson’s powers of persuasion get a boost from the government? In CHAOS: The Manson Murders, Oscar-winning filmmaker Errol Morris explores the connections between the infamous cult leader and the CIA’s MK-Ultra mind control experiments. Were the slayings truly motivated by Manson’s Helter Skelter plans for a race war? Or had Manson unwittingly become part of the government’s secret research into brainwashing? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Errol Morris. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched CHAOS: The Manson Murders yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Dig deeper into all of your favorite Netflix documentaries and films at Tudum.com. There you can find out more about CHAOS: The Manson Murders and its connection to Tom O’Neill’s book. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Step into the mysterious and visually stunning world of The Electric State as host Francesca Amiker takes you behind the scenes with the creative masterminds who brought Simon Stålenhag’s dystopian vision to life. In this premiere episode, directors Joe and Anthony Russo, stars Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and producers Angela Russo-Otstot and Chris Castaldi reveal how they transformed a haunting graphic novel into an epic cinematic experience. Watch The Electric State coming to Netflix on March 14th. Check out more from Netflix Podcasts. State Secrets: Inside the Making of The Electric State is produced by Netflix and Treefort Media.

In the 1990s, mothers in the English industrial town of Corby noticed their children were born with similar disabilities. Could they have been poisoned during their pregnancies by toxic waste being removed from the old steel mill? Led by Susan McIntrye, the group rallied to seek justice, but the borough council denied there was any connection between the children and the reclamation project essential to the city’s future. The mothers hit stonewalls in their quest for the truth, but a crusading lawyer and a disgraced whistleblower might have the information vital to their case. Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, and Rory Kinnear lead an all-star cast in the Netflix series Toxic Town. Based on the true story of the groundbreaking environmental negligence case, the series follows the efforts of the women as they fight powerful forces to get recognition and compensation on behalf of their children. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews writer and series creator Jack Thorne. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Toxic Town yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Dig deeper into all of your favorite Netflix documentaries and films at Tudum.com. This week: actresses Jodie Whittaker and Aimee Lou Wood sit down with the real mothers of Corby who they play in Toxic Town. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In October 1993, US soldiers operating in the middle of a civil war in Somalia were on a mission to capture high ranking militia leaders linked to the fighting. But their extraction from the streets of Mogadishu was blocked by an unexpected counter attack from Somali warriors resulting in an all-out urban firefight. While the Army Rangers were pinned down in the streets, resistance fighters shot down two Black Hawk helicopters. What became known as the Battle of Mogadishu lasted for hours, with the US suffering heavy casualties and seeing a pilot taken prisoner. The failed mission altered the course of American involvement in the conflict. The Netflix series Surviving Black Hawk Down takes us back to the battlefield as told from the perspective of Americans on the ground and in the air. It also brings us the voices of Somali militants who took up arms and of civilians caught in the crossfire. It not only recounts what happened during those many hours of combat. It tackles what it meant for the soldiers who made it out alive. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews former US special forces soldiers and series subjects Tom Satterly and Brad Thomas. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched title yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Dig deeper into all of your favorite Netflix documentaries and films at Tudum.com! This week they go even further into what happened during the Battle of Mogadishu. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In 2021, Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie set off in a van for a cross country adventure they’d document for a travel vlog. Despite images of a carefree journey she posted online, the trip was beginning to sour. Then - Gabby’s parents couldn’t reach her. And police discovered Brian had returned home in the van…with his girlfriend nowhere to be found. The Netflix documentary series American Murder: Gabby Petito dives deep into the true crime mystery that captivated the Internet - and the nation. Using Gabby’s never-before-seen videos, texts, and journal entries, the series takes us inside the couple’s troubling relationship, the missteps by authorities who encountered them, and the nationwide search for answers. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews producers Julia Willoughby Nason and Mike Gasparro. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched American Murder: Gabby Petito yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Dig deeper into all of your favorite Netflix documentaries and films at Tudum.com! You can hear more from Gabby’s parents on what they’re doing to honor her memory through legislative advocacy. If you or someone you know has experienced relationship abuse, information and resources are available at wannatalkaboutit.com.

At the dawn of the social media era, Belle Gibson became a pioneering wellness influencer - telling the world how she beat cancer with an alternative diet. Her bestselling cookbook and online app provided her success, respect, and a connection to the cancer-battling influencer she admired the most. But a curious journalist with a sick wife began asking questions that even those closest to Belle began to wonder. Was the online star faking her cancer and fooling the world? Kaitlyn Dever stars in the Netflix hit series Apple Cider Vinegar. Inspired by true events, the dramatized story follows Belle’s journey from self-styled wellness thought leader to disgraced con artist. It also explores themes of hope and acceptance - and how far we’ll go to maintain it. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer Samantha Strauss. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Apple Cider Vinegar yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Belle Gibson was an early social media health influencer, with a best-selling book and a popular wellness app. She drew attention after claiming she had several forms of malignant cancer, and was treating them with alternative therapies and diet. When Gibson told the world her holistic approach was keeping her alive and well despite her diagnoses, followers and readers put their faith in her guidance. But when journalists discovered Gibson had faked her illnesses and wasn’t truthful about her charitable contributions, the fall out implicated not only her, but also a leading publishing house and one of the world’s largest tech companies. The scandal is chronicled in the book The Woman Who Fooled The World: The True Story of Fake Wellness Guru Belle Gibson, which serves as the inspiration for the dramatized Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar starring Kaitlyn Dever. How did the real Belle Gibson build her empire on a bed of lies? And more importantly: why did she do it? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews authors and investigative journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Apple Cider Vinegar yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In 1994, two people were slain in Brentwood, California - one of them the ex-wife of a beloved celebrity. Then the world stood transfixed watching a televised police chase of the famous fugitive through Los Angeles. It seemed like a mountain of evidence would convict OJ Simpson for the murders of Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. But his aggressive defense team attacked the science and the motivations of a problematic detective. It all led to a bombshell verdict that divided the country and reverberates today. From the famous Bronco chase to the “Trial of the Century,” American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson follows the case that shook the nation. We hear from those who investigated the crime, those who fought it out in court, and from witnesses never called to testify. We get insight from a juror on the panel, as well as from Simpson’s close friend who went from a supporter to a doubter of his innocence. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Floyd Russ. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

After making his fortune in tech, Bryan Johnson has set his sights on an even more valuable goal: finding a fountain of youth through cutting-edge science. Employing a mix of smoothies, fitness, regimented sleep, high-tech therapies, and more than 100 pills and supplements, Bryan has been able to slow the aging rate of his body. His Blueprint Protocol has earned him lots of attention, and lots of derision from those who see his quest as folly. And Bryan’s pursuit of even more radical techniques has many questioning how far is too far in his desire for longevity. The Netflix documentary film Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, follows Bryan’s uncharted path to maximize his lifespan and share his results with the world. It explores whether any of his accomplishments can be replicated. And it seeks to go deeper into his life to explore what is really animating the millionaire’s high-profile attempt to live as long as possible. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Chris Smith. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Jerry Springer’s dull new talk show was relegated to an overnight time slot and the likelihood of cancellation. But when he teamed up with a new executive producer - one with a taste for the sensational - the show evolved into a must-watch television circus. And when guests started punching each other, the ratings went through the roof. The Netflix documentary series Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action revisits the outrageous talk show, zooming in on the relationship between its affable host and the string-pulling Svengali that - for better or worse - changed television. It brings viewers behind the cameras into the demanding lives of the show’s segment runners. And it looks at the effects the show had in the lives of its guests, resulting in broken hearts, broken bones, and even murder. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews former “The Jerry Springer Show” producer Toby Yoshimura. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

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

In the documentary, The Biggest Heist Ever, we learned about Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan and Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein, who were accused of conspiring to launder $4.5 billion in stolen bitcoin. But this is just a peek into the world of crytpto criminals and the people who track them. Today we're bringing you a recent episode from our friends at American Criminal, where each week host Jeremy Schwartz takes you inside the minds of some of America's most notorious felons and outlaws. In this episode from the Sam Bankman-Fried series, he sits down with Wired senior writer Andy Greenberg to talk about the day that FTX collapsed and the wild world of crypto crime detectives. You can read more in Andy's book, Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency. Listen to all four episodes of the 'Sam Bankman-Fried' series on American Criminal, wherever you get your podcasts.

At the height of World War II, transporting the mail to GIs took a back seat to moving supplies to the front. Soon, millions of letters and packages were piling up with no one to sort them. Commanders reluctantly gave the job to a battalion of Black female soldiers, convinced the task would be too much for them. Despite facing racism and sexism - and grueling working conditions - the women of the Six Triple Eight accomplished their mission, re-establishing an important connection between the homefront and the battlefront. With an ensemble cast featuring Kerry Washington, Susan Sarandon, Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey, The Six Triple Eight is inspired by the real story of the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in the Second World War. Given an extraordinary task and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers, raising morale on both sides of the Atlantic. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews writer and director Tyler Perry. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Six Triple Eight yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Let the new games begin! Starting Thursday, December 26th, join hosts Phil Yu (aka “Angry Asian Man”) and Kiera Please as they dive into each episode of Squid Game Season 2. Joined by a lineup of special guests, they’ll unpack the deadly new challenges, explore the layered characters, and debate the moral dilemmas that will leave you questioning everything. From Gi-hun’s relentless quest for justice to the rise of new players and the dark secrets behind the games, Phil and Kiera will break it all down. Plus, they’ll explore the cultural significance of Squid Game and play some in-studio games inspired by Season 2’s most intense moments. Squid Game: The Official Podcast returns December 26th. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Kevin Curtis was one half of a double Elvis tribute act, living in the Mississippi birthplace of the King. But after he stumbled onto what he thought was a black market organ harvesting scheme, Kevin went down a rabbit hole of conspiracy and on a quest to root out corruption. As his paranoia grew, threatening letters, sprinkled with deadly ricin, turned up at the offices of his enemies - as well as the White House. The Netflix documentary series The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga tells the quirky tale of Kevin’s colorful life and dark obsessions. With its many twists and turns, we hear from the story’s cast of eccentric characters and follow the investigation into whether this Elvis impersonator hatched a plot sure to have him dancing to the Jailhouse Rock. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Chapman and Maclain Way. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Kings of Tupelo yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

The 1996 murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey gripped the nation with its unusual twists. The bizarre ransom note…the uncooperative parents…and those child beauty pageants! The police, the press, and the public all focused on John and Patsy Ramsey and whether they staged the break-in, assault, and murder of their daughter. But even though all the physical evidence pointed to an intruder, years later many still believe the family was involved. The Netflix documentary series Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey dives back into the infamous crime, its troubled investigation, the media firestorm, and the lingering cloud of suspicion over the young victim’s parents. It also examines the behind the scenes struggles between detectives who withheld evidence from colleagues that cleared the Ramseys and those who believed someone outside of the home was responsible. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director and executive producer Joe Berlinger. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

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

They train for a lifetime, all for ten seconds at glory. But who will take the gold on track’s biggest stage: the Paris Olympiad? Will it be the brash Noah Lyles, the earnest Kenny Bednarek, or the enigmatic Kishane Thompson? Can Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce grab a medal at her fifth games? Or will up-and-comers like Sha’carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson take her place at the top of the sport? Or will Julien Alfred shock the world by earning her tiny island nation’s first ever Olympic medal? The Netflix sports series SPRINT Part 2 delves deep into the psyches of those elite competitors who train to be the fastest person on the planet. It’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the high stakes and the mental toughness of the sprinters whose professional futures are decided in just fractions of a second. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Executive Producer Warren Smith and Showrunner Suemay Oram. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched SPRINT Part 2 yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

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

After a 2020 Olympic performance marked by disappointment, questions lingered on whether the most decorated gymnast of all time would ever return to the world stage. But Simone Biles was determined to go out on top and capture gold in Paris. With the glare of the world upon her, and not feeling 100%, Biles took this summer’s XXXIII Olympiad by storm. Her story resumes in Simone Biles Rising Part 2. The series follows the acclaimed athlete as she overcomes challenges both physical and personal. It provides an intimate portrait both on and off the mat as she completes her triumph in France and removes any doubt that she’s the greatest of all time. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Katie Walsh. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Simone Biles Rising Part 2 yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Mats Steen appeared to live a life of isolation. A Norwegian teen suffering from a degenerative muscle disease, reliant on adaptive technologies, Mats spent all of his time on his computer. It wasn’t until he died at age 25 that his parents learned what he’d been doing. The gamers did not know Mats’s medical condition. Instead, they knew him as Ibelin: a brawny medieval nobleman in search of adventure. The online players regarded Ibelin as a caring friend, a ladies man, and someone whose advice changed them in real life. It wasn’t until his passing, Mats’s impact on both worlds was revealed. The Netflix documentary film The Remarkable Life of Ibelin uses game logs and code to digitally recreate Mats’s online journey. Through Ibelin, he experiences companionship, romance, and acceptance in a community where he could be his true self. The film asks questions about the nature of friendship and what it means to live a quality life - even one in a virtual world. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Benjamin Ree. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Remarkable Life of Ibelin yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

What goes through the mind of a killer just as they take a life? And how do they feel about their actions after spending years in prison? Season five of the Netflix documentary series I AM A KILLER explores those questions, allowing admitted killers to talk about their crimes and reflect on how taking a life has changed them. But their tales don’t go unchallenged. Investigators, prosecutors, and loved ones hear their words and respond - some with forgiveness, some with a fact check on what really happened. What are the inmates looking for? Understanding? Redemption? A chance to rewrite their violent histories? Or simply the opportunity to tell the world “I am a killer.” In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producers Ned Parker and Danny Tipping. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched I AM A KILLER yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In a league filled with superstars, they stand out among the rest. But what does it take to achieve greatness in the NBA, as well as away from the court where you can’t call a timeout in real life? The ten-part Netflix sports series Starting 5 provides an intense, behind-the-scenes look at the 2023-24 season through the eyes of five of the league’s biggest players - Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum. The series captures their battles on and off the court as they chase greatness, push through injuries, and balance the demands of family and legacy. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Showrunner Peter Scalettar. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Starting 5 yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Part 3: Hope for the Future. Today, over 30 years after their crime, Lyle and Erik feel they have healed and evolved. Alejandro learns how they've spent decades in search of peace and fulfillment in their lives behind bars. The brothers speak on the renewed interest in their case spawned from social media sites like TikTok, and share their hopes for the future. As their hours of conversation come to an end, Alejandro reflects on how his journey with the Menendez Brothers has personally impacted him as a storyteller. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com. The Menendez Brothers is streaming now on Netflix. --- CREDITS Netflix Podcasts Presents A Campfire Studios Production in association with Pod People The Menendez Brothers: The Official Podcast Written and produced by Angela Palladino, with help from Tony Mantia, Rebecca Chaisson, Natalie Grillo, Sam Gebauer, Alex Vikmanis, and Aimee Machado From Campfire Studios, Executive Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans From Netflix, Executive Producer: David Markowitz Edited by Carter Wogahn and Morgane Fouse Sound design and mixed by Carter Wogahn Music composition by Jimmy Stofer Narrated by Alejandro Hartmann

Part 2: The Legends of the Father. Alejandro dives deeper into the legacy of what it means to be a Menendez, the legend that Lyle and Erik’s father, Josè, created around their bloodline, and what it would ultimately drive his sons to do. All the while, as he develops a closer relationship with them, Alejandro reckons with his understanding of the brothers and their crime. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com. The Menendez Brothers is streaming now on Netflix. --- CREDITS Netflix Podcasts Presents A Campfire Studios Production in association with Pod People The Menendez Brothers: The Official Podcast Written and produced by Angela Palladino, with help from Tony Mantia, Rebecca Chaisson, Natalie Grillo, Sam Gebauer, Alex Vikmanis, and Aimee Machado From Campfire Studios, Executive Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans From Netflix, Executive Producer: David Markowitz Edited by Carter Wogahn and Morgane Fouse Sound design and mixed by Carter Wogahn Music composition by Jimmy Stofer Narrated by Alejandro Hartmann

Part 1: The First Call. In the first of this three part mini-series, Alejandro Hartmann, the director of The Menendez Brothers documentary, takes us on his journey to reach Lyle and Erik Menendez and convince them to be interviewed for the documentary. The Menendez brothers are serving life without parole for the 1989 murder of their parents inside the walls of the family’s Beverly Hills mansion. They haven't spoken together about their case since first being incarcerated. Through hours of candid conversation, documentarian Alejandro Hartmann embarks on a journey to uncover the raw, untold stories of the brothers’ lives before and after their crimes. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com. The Menendez Brothers is streaming now on Netflix. --- CREDITS Netflix Podcasts Presents A Campfire Studios Production in association with Pod People The Menendez Brothers: The Official Podcast Written and produced by Angela Palladino, with help from Tony Mantia, Rebecca Chaisson, Natalie Grillo, Sam Gebauer, Alex Vikmanis, and Aimee Machado From Campfire Studios, Executive Producers: Ross M. Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans From Netflix, Executive Producer: David Markowitz Edited by Carter Wogahn and Morgane Fouse Sound design and mixed by Carter Wogahn Music composition by Jimmy Stofer Narrated by Alejandro Hartmann

It was the trial that rocked the nation. Two brothers from Beverly Hills, convicted of murdering their parents. Lyle and Erik Menendez are serving life in prison without parole. But their crime was more than 30 years ago. Was justice served? And who are the Menendez brothers today? In this preview of the companion podcast to the new Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers, filmmaker Alejandro Hartmann takes us behind-the-scenes on his quest to build a relationship with the two brothers. Through over 20 hours of exclusive prison interviews, the brothers reveal the deeper story of just what happened that summer in 1989 – a story of abuse, myth-making, and choices you can’t come back from. They've never told their story together, until now. All three episodes of the companion podcast to the Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers, will be available right here on Wednesday, October 9th. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it! Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Vicky White was well-liked and respected by her co-workers in the Alabama jail she ran, and by the inmates she supervised. They were shocked when, on one of her last days on the job, she vanished with accused murderer Casey White. It wasn’t until later authorities discovered the pair had a secret relationship for years, and they escaped so they could finally be together. After eleven days on the run, the manhunt came to a tragic end. Through surveillance video and audio from their secret phone calls, Netflix’s Jailbreak: Love on the Run chronicles Vicky’s plan to spring her dangerous lover and the nationwide search for the couple. It also seeks answers to the question: why did Vicky do it? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producers Dan Abrams and Rachel Stockman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Jailbreak: Love on the Run yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

The new podcast Forgive Me For I Have Followed builds on Netflix’s Dancing for the Devil, delving into the personal stories of those affected by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church, and 7M Films. Shinn founded Shekinah Church in LA over two decades ago, before establishing 7M Films, and is named in a civil lawsuit alleging abuse and "cult-like" behavior. In this, the premiere episode, co-host and former member Kailea Gray shares her personal perspective. Joined by co-host and Dancing for the Devil Executive Producer Jessica Acevedo, Kailea reflects on her and her now-husband's involvement with the church, how their lives have changed, and their journey moving forward. Dancing For the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult is streaming now on Netflix. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Cathy Terkanian learned the daughter she gave up for adoption decades earlier vanished under mysterious circumstances while a teenager. When Cathy began her own investigation into the disappearance, she learned police dismissed the involvement of the violent predator living in the home Aundria Bowman grew up in. Her birth mother dedicated herself to getting Aundria’s adoptive parents to reveal the truth about what happened. Then, after years of persistence, an unlikely discovery broke the case wide open. From the creative team behind The Keepers and Executive Producer Charlize Theron comes the Netflix documentary series Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter. It follows a decades-long quest for justice and the investigation into a man whose list of violent crimes remained largely unconnected. It also profiles Cathy’s quest to do right by the daughter she never knew and bring her home. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Ryan White and producer Jessica Hargrave. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Michigan football assistant Connor Stalions had an uncanny knack for the art of sign stealing - the perfectly legal practice of deciphering opponents’ signals to gain an on-field advantage. Stalions credited hard work and research for his success. But the NCAA believed he’d broken the rules by sending friends and family to other games to illegally scout teams in advance. The scandal rocked the sport, launched a thousand memes, forced Stalions out of football, and cast a cloud over Michigan’s undefeated season. In UNTOLD: Sign Stealer, Stalions tells his story for the first time, showing his methodical preparation and answering questions about whether he went too far to give his team a leg up. It asks was Stalions the best who ever did it…or was he a cheater? It also probes why college football was willing to turn a blind eye to the practice until now. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Micah Brown. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched UNTOLD: Sign Stealer yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

On July 4, 2009, former NFL MVP quarterback Steve “Air” McNair and 20-year-old Sahel “Jenny” Kazemi were found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at a Nashville townhouse. The deaths shocked the sports world. While the police declared the pair died by Jenny’s hand, others say the investigation was botched and other suspects were dismissed too quickly. Volume four of the acclaimed Netflix sports series, UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair takes viewers through the pivotal moments of the investigation while also charting McNair’s rise to stardom across 13 seasons in the NFL. Through gripping game day footage and emotional interviews with teammates, coaches, and friends, the film captures McNair’s extraordinary career — while also examining the factors that led to these tragic deaths. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Rodney Lucas and Taylor Alexander Ward. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched UNTOLD: The Murder of Air McNair yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

A program in D.C. offers the children of incarcerated men a rare chance to be with their fathers: a Daddy Daughter Dance inside the jail. While the men go on a journey to consider the impacts of their actions on their family, the girls navigate heartbreak, anger, and uncertainty, as they seize a precious opportunity to be with a parent they’re not even permitted to hug. But when the music stops, will these connections endure? Netflix’s Daughters follows Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana as they prepare for a momentous Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. The film sheds light on the complexities of familial bonds strained by the unforgiving barriers of the criminal legal system. It also follows its main subjects long after the dance to see if the experience had a lasting effect on the bonds between father and daughter. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Natalie Rae Robison and Angela Patton. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Daughters yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

She was the bright and bubbly young woman who disappeared on Christmas Eve of 2002 while eight months pregnant. The disturbing mystery of what happened captured the nation’s attention and dominated the news as the investigation slowly pointed to her husband. The murder of Laci Peterson remains one of the most famous and compelling true crime cases of the century. The Netflix documentary series American Murder: Laci Peterson is a story about a beloved woman, intimate partner violence, and media obsession. For the first time, we hear from Laci’s mother, Sharon, about her family’s ordeal. And we get the perspective of the woman thrown into the center of the case: Scott Peterson’s unsuspecting girlfriend, Amber Frey. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Skye Borgman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched American Murder: Laci Peterson yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

How do they bring unseen monsters and unknown murderers to life on the screen? How do they get those interviews that no one else gets? What’s it like to tell the stories with only questions and no answers? Today we’ll hear the stories behind the episodes in volume four of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries. These directors hope their stories can help crack an unsolved mystery. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Directors Robert M. Wise and Gabe Torres. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Unsolved Mysteries yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

From classic true crime to paranormal encounters, we can’t get enough of unexplained tales and the questions they raise. Volume four of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries brings us more of the unsettling, head-scratching cases you’ve come to expect from the legacy series. But this isn’t a series you only watch. Tips to unsolved.com have made a difference in many of the cases profiled. This time viewers are asked to solve a murder inside a locked building, find a terrifying night creature, determine whether a bloodsoaked death was an accident or a homicide, identify a victim by only her severed head, and travel to Victorian England to uncover history’s most notorious serial killer. Who knows? Maybe you have information that will crack an unsolved mystery. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer and showrunner Terry Dunn Meurer. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched volume 4 of Unsolved Mysteries yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

She’s a single mom working at a Whole Foods in Connecticut with one dream: to climb Mount Everest…again! Lhakpa Sherpa holds the record for most Everest summits by a woman. Now she returns to her native Nepal to conquer the world’s tallest mountain for the tenth time, and in the process, find healing from her past traumas. The Netflix documentary film Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa follows her dangerous trek to the top of the world. It also explores Lhakpa’s efforts to climb out of the valley of her despair and achieve serenity through the spiritual powers of her beloved Everest. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Lucy Walker and producer Miranda Sherman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

She’s considered the Greatest of All Time: a gymnast so special that five of the most difficult skills are named after her. But Simone Biles stunned the world when she withdrew from the 2020 Olympics, citing a need to protect her mental health. But after a break from the sport, the champion returned to the gym and confronted her physical and emotional challenges. The Netflix documentary series Simone Biles: Rising follows the gymnast’s journey from disappointment in Tokyo to her return to the Olympic stage in Paris. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Katie Walsh. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Simone Biles: Rising yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

From the rolling surf of Malibu to the glamor of the Hollywood hills, detectives in the LA County Sheriff's Department deal with some of the wealthiest and most famous people in the country. And when murder is involved, the pressure is on to solve the crime all while in a spotlight as bright as any blockbuster premier. In the latest installment of the Netflix docuseries, Homicide: Los Angeles revisits some of the most shocking and baffling crimes from the City of Angels, told by the detectives and prosecutors who worked them. Legendary executive producer Dick Wolf brings viewers inside these puzzling investigations and shows what it takes to solve them. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive director Adam Kassen. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Homicide: Los Angeles yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

It’s been said that there’s no more difficult position in the NFL than the quarterback. But throwing the pass is only half the story. Receivers turn those throws into dazzling catches, explosive runs, and highlight-worthy touchdowns. The Netflix sports series Receiver follows pass catchers Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. On the field and off, these players prepare for their chance at greatness. Dealing with playing time, injuries, and family drama, we see that being an elite receiver in the NFL is more than just catching the ball. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Shannon Furman. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Receiver yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Would-be mothers in The Netherlands selected Jonathan Jacob Meijer to be their online sperm donor - a well-spoken, well-traveled gent with luxurious hair and a desire to help women conceive. But the parents were shocked to learn Meijer had gone far beyond the largely voluntary guidelines for sperm donation, having fathered hundreds of children in their country…and beyond. With no laws to stop him, Meijer remained defiant, vowing to continue donating sperm around the world. The Netflix documentary series The Man with 1000 Kids spans the globe, following Meijer and the parents who felt duped by him. It explores the frightening implications for the children and the larger population, and examines a reproductive health industry built without guardrails. It also attempts to answer what would drive a man to extremes to create a world in his own image. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer Natalie Hill. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Man with 1000 Kids yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Inspired by an unbelievable true story, a mild mannered professor discovers his hidden talent as a fake assassin-for-hire. He meets his match in a client who steals his heart and ignites a powder keg of deception, delight, and mixed-up identities. Glen Powell and Adria Arjona star in the action/comedy/romance movie Hit Man, directed by Oscar nominee Richard Linklater. On today’s episode, we turn things over to our friends at the Netflix podcast “Skip Intro.” Host Krista Smith talks with actor and co-writer Glen Powell about making and filming this killer comedy. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Hit Man yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In 1959, Barbie changed the way girls played with dolls - taking them from babies to beauty queens, fashion mavens, and professional role models. But girls of color didn’t see themselves represented by the blonde haired, Malibu-tanned figurine. It took 20 years for Mattel to finally release Black Barbie. But in the subsequent years, Black Barbie’s place in the Barbie universe - and in the real world - is still evolving and sparking conversation. Black Barbie traces the doll’s journey from creation to its impact on children of color and its influence in contemporary culture. We hear from the former employees who labored to bring diversity to the famous toy line. The film asks whether - this Barbie is everything - OR could be something more? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews writer & director Lagueria Davis. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Black Barbie yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In a city where bank robberies were an everyday occurrence, one Seattle bandit stood out among the rest. The FBI nicknamed him “Hollywood,” a savvy criminal inspired by heist films like “Heat” and “Point Break.” Beneath that elaborate prosthetic disguise was Scott Scurlock, a free-spirit living in a treehouse and spreading his stolen cash around. But when he plans to retire after one last big score, everything goes wrong. The Netflix film How to Rob a Bank traces Scurlock's escapades as the high-profile robber the cops are desperate to get their hands on. It shows the toll being “The Hollywood Bandit” took on him, as well as how his $2 million stick-up spree came to its cinematic conclusion. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Stephen Robert Morse & Seth Porges. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched How to Rob a Bank yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Get ready to chill this hot summer with all new, buzzworthy documentary films and series from Netflix. From the lighthearted to the heartbreaking, from thrilling true crime to the unexplained, Netflix’s profiles of people and events will give you plenty to talk about. They include a documentary film about the history of queer comedians in “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution”; the return of “Unsolved Mysteries”; the sport-themed series “Receiver,” “Simone Biles: Rising,” and “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders”; and standouts like the films “Daughters,” “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” and “Black Barbie: A Documentary.” In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Amanda Richards from Tudum. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Melanie and Miranda Wilking were TikTok’s favorite dancing sisters, until Miranda left the act to perform for the 7M management company. Robert Shinn was more than an agent to his famous dancers - he was a spiritual guide who instilled the tenants of the Shekinah Church he founded decades earlier. When Miranda’s family went public with their story, many online fans believed the dancers for 7M were all in a cult. As other members escaped and worked to rebuild their lives, it wasn’t until they came together to stop the cycle of their abuser that the real healing began. Dancing For the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult tells the story of the coercive church, its former members, and the performers still dancing online. It exposes the diabolical tactics used by cult-like organizations to exert control over people as well as the lengths families will go to keep their loved ones safe. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Derek Doneen and executive producer Jessica Acevedo. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Dancing For the Devil yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

From the slave patrols of the 1700s and the first publicly funded police departments of the 1800s to the uprisings of the 1960s and 2020s, the scope and scale of American law enforcement has expanded over time. Once a tool of the powerful to maintain social order, the police have now become a power unto themselves. The Netflix documentary film Power offers a visceral and immersive journey to demonstrate how we’ve arrived at this moment in history. It examines urgent questions about a growing and largely unchecked authority: who is policed, who is protected, who gets to decide, and why. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Yance Ford. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Power yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

It was a first-of-its-kind online dating site, one where the clients were already married and looking to have an affair. While Ashley Madison drew rebuke and ridicule for its product, its business soared, with millions of married people across the globe subscribing to the service. But hackers who infiltrated their system made an ultimatum: shut Ashley Madison down or we’ll release all of your customers’ data. Not only did the fortunes of the company hang in the balance, but so did the relationships of all those unfaithful spouses who thought they were paying for discretion. The Netflix documentary series Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal looks into the rise of the notorious website and the headline-grabbing 2015 data breach. It also tells the stories of those who used the site and faced the public and private consequences of exposure. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Toby Paton. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

New city! New twists! Same game! Catfish, connections, and chaos await new influencers in season six of the Netflix series The Circle. Online players compete with one another - and an AI chatbot in disguise - to strategize, plot, and hashtag their way to the top of the pack to win a cash prize of $100,000. In this episode, “We Have the Receipts” podcast host Chris Burns and guest co-host Chloe Veitch discuss episodes 5 through 12 of The Circle. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Circle yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.