You Can’t Make This Up

They say you should “trust your gut.” The same holds true for your health, as emerging research shows the digestive system plays a larger role in our well being than ever thought before. In addition to helping with digestion and nutrition, scientists are learning that microbiomes in the gut may be connected to illnesses and what we eat may be helpful in fighting these conditions. The Netflix documentary Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut demystifies the role our gut plays in our overall health. The film takes us inside our bodies to show how what goes in - and what comes out - can benefit our physical and emotional fitness. It features researchers and patients at the forefront of a new understanding of medicine and offers practical advice to improve your gut and unlock the rewards. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Anjali Nayer. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

It started as a low-tech online message board where people shared funny memes. Then users of 4chan began testing their influence offline, identifying targets for comeuppance and demonstrating against them. But some used the site to organize hacking attacks for social action, which drew the attention of the FBI. Others found an unchecked platform for extremism which eventually led to insurrection. The Netflix documentary The Antisocial Network: From Memes to Mayhem chronicles the rise of 4chan, from its early days as a snarky imageboard to a home for the hacktivists of Anonymous and conspiracy theorists of QAnon. It not only examines its grip on users stuck in its infinite scroll, but also its real life effects on technology, politics, and society. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Arthur Jones and Giorgio Angelini. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Antisocial Network yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

BONUS EPISODE - Enjoy this featured bonus episode from the podcast Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned. To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitcoin, exclusively on Netflix available to stream now. S1: E1 – Breaking Bad “For as long as I can remember I was always trying to make a couple pennies.” That’s Ray Trapani, one of the co-founders of the crypto-currency company, Centra Tech. In the premiere episode of Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned, we hear the origin story of Ray, the guy who, in his own words said, “I always wanted to be a criminal since I was a kid”. Was it destined in his nature? Or would this prolific con artist be shaped by his environment and the influences on his life from an early age? If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

In 2010, police in a quiet Ontario suburb received a frantic 911 call. A woman said she’d been tied up by intruders who’d just shot her parents. With her mother dead and her father clinging to life, Jennifer Pan gave detectives gripping descriptions of the home invasion. Investigators had no idea why the Pans had been targeted. But a closer look at Jennifer’s life made them rethink what they knew about the case. The Netflix documentary What Jennifer Did looks back at the high-profile crime that shook Canada. The film uses police interrogation footage and testimony from those involved to unravel a web of complexities that no one saw coming. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Jenny Popplewell & producer Paul Nguyen. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched What Jennifer Did yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In an effort to reduce problems with discipline and recidivism, the sheriff in Pulaski County, Arkansas rolled out a radical plan for the county jail. Instead of the standard 23-hour lockdown, he’d open the doors in one pod for six weeks and let the detainees run things without the presence of guards. The goal: empower them to become self-sufficient and learn the skills needed to succeed on the outside. But the experiment is not without its risks - for both the inmates and the sheriff. The Netflix series Unlocked: A Jail Experiment takes us behind bars and into a make-shift community of O.G. prisoners and a new generation of inmates as they try to navigate their new responsibilities. Can they work together to improve behavior in the unit and preserve their newfound privileges? Or will the old ways of jailhouse culture return and force the sheriff to shut the experiment down? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Executive Producer Greg Henry and Pulaski County Sheriff Eric S. Higgins. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Unlocked: A Jail Experiment yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

From eerie encounters to bizarre disappearances, mysterious hauntings to chilling cold cases - some mysteries are best when left unsolved. But that doesn’t mean the unexplained should go unexamined. Told by witnesses to the supernatural and the extraterrestrial, the Netflix series Files of the Unexplained explores a mix of perplexing phenomena. The show also features scientists and historians who offer more earthly possibilities for these baffling puzzles. But it’s left to the viewer to decide whether there are objective explanations for these riddles…or whether something else is at play. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Executive producers Skye Borgman & Avril Z. Speaks. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Files of the Unexplained yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

A young woman’s fateful decision in 1960s China reverberates across space and time into the present day. When the laws of nature inexplicably unravel before their eyes, a close-knit group of brilliant scientists join forces with an unorthodox detective to confront the greatest threat in humanity’s history. In this episode, we turn things over to our friends at “3 Body Podcast,” the official companion podcast to Netflix’s 3 Body Problem. Hosts Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Jason Concepcion will talk to a range of people involved in the making of the show for unparalleled behind-the-scenes insight and discuss the real-world implications of what unfolds on screen. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched 3 Body Problem yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In New York City, homicides are investigated by two separate squads: Manhattan North and Manhattan South. From killings deeply personal to seemingly random, these police detectives tackle some of the most difficult and high-profile murders possible. But what did it take to solve the crimes…and what did it do to those who solved them? In the Netflix docuseries Homicide: New York, legendary executive producer Dick Wolf brings viewers inside some of the real-life cases that shocked and puzzled the city. From the point of view of those who investigated the crimes and prosecuted the offenders, these are the stories of some of Manhattan’s most notorious murders In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer Adam Kassan. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Homicide: New York yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Former allies became foes when the Soviets maintained their grip on post-war Eastern Europe to spread communism. Beyond the clash of ideologies, an arms race had begun between emerging superpowers. For decades Americans stood at hypervigilance, living under the constant threat of a nuclear exchange. When the Soviet Union finally collapsed from within, it looked like the US had won the Cold War. But from its long legacy remain the old divisions which fuel today’s conflicts. Netflix’s Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War explores the decades-long struggle between the United States and the USSR. World leaders, prominent academics, and other witnesses to history weigh in on the existential threat of this global chess match. From detonation to détente, from the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of Putin, the series makes the case that the Cold War still is felt in today’s hot zones. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer and director Brian Knappenberger. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Like hundreds before her, Katherine Daniel was sent by her parents to a school for troubled teens. The Academy at Ivy Ridge claimed to use therapy and recreational activities to help its students. Instead, teens suffered mental and physical abuse in a program that operated like a cult. Years later, Katherine and her former classmates rummaged through the files and videotapes left behind in the abandoned school. Their goal was to come to terms with what happened to them within its walls and hold those responsible to account. The Netflix documentary series The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping is a gripping look at the so-called Troubled Teen Industry by those traumatized from its practices. It also explores the company whose business model is to keep parents paying huge fees while their children suffer horrors at the hands of their schools’ staff. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Director Katherine Kubler. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Writer Danny Casolaro believed he’d uncovered a secret organization of political leaders and covert operatives pulling the levers of power around the globe. He called it “The Octopus.” In 1991, when Danny’s body was discovered in a hotel bathtub, authorities ruled it a suicide - but his friends and family feared he’d been killed to keep the story quiet. In American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders, filmmakers reopen Danny’s investigation and retrace his final days. Was the official narrative about the writer’s death a cover-up? And can they link - once and for all - a string of seemingly unconnected crimes to a shadowy group with the power to control the world? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews filmmaker Zachary Treitz and researcher Christian Hansen. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. PROGRAMMING NOTE: This episode contains discussions about suicide. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

The hit reality series Love Is Blind is back , following a new set of singles from Charlotte, North Carolina — all ready to cut through the static of modern dating and forge authentic relationships, sight unseen. The singles form deep and immediate connections, setting the stage for an unexpected journey full of twists, turns, and shocking revelations that will test each relationship well after the participants leave the pods for the real world. This episode, we’ll turn things over to our friends on the podcast “Now on Netflix.” Hosts Jessica Shaw and Henry Goldblatt talk to Tudum.com’s Cole Delbyk and Natalie Morin about season six and whether love truly is blind. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Dave Kroupa thought his relationship with Cari Farver was low-key, but Cari began sending threatening texts and emails. She even targeted Dave’s old girlfriend, Liz Goylar. The stalking persisted for years, and while the trauma drew Dave and Liz closer, authorities could never track down Cari for an arrest. But investigators tracing Cari’s digital footprint uncovered evidence that upended the case. The Netflix documentary Lover Stalker Killer looks into this bizarre tale of obsession and violence. Among the women in Dave’s life, who could get away with years of online harassment? And who was willing to turn a romantic rivalry into murder? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Sam Hobkinson. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Lover Stalker Killer yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

It was an ambitious attempt to raise money for famine relief in Africa: record a single sung by the biggest names in rock, pop, R&B, and country. But putting the 1985’s “We Are The World” down on tape was easier said than done. The all-star chorus had to balance schedules, fix tech issues, and curb egos to create the legendary record. But their biggest challenge: the clock was ticking and they had only one night to make it happen. Netflix’s The Greatest Night in Pop features never-before-seen footage of the song’s early planning stages, including the writing sessions, and goes inside the studio where “We Are the World” was recorded. Stars like Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, and Cyndi Lauper reminisce alongside musicians, engineers, and production crew about one of the most storied nights in music history. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Bao Nguyen. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched The Greatest Night in Pop yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

After a year of high stakes racing, it all comes down to the final ten races of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The sport’s best drivers face elimination as they make their way to the final race and most storied championship in motorsports. But who are these competitors behind the wheel? Are they the same person at home as they are on the track? And do they have the right stuff to take the checkered flag? NASCAR: Full Speed brings fans behind the scenes — both on and off the track — while exploring the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of competing for a championship at the world’s highest level of stock car racing. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Producer Aaron Cohen and NASCAR Senior Vice President Tim Clark. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched NASCAR: Full Speed yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

As some of tennis’s legends reach the twilight of their careers, this is the chance for a new generation to finally claim the spotlight. But after years in the shadows of champions like Williams and Djokovic, who has what it takes to step up and become the number one player in the world. Season two of Netflix’s Break Point gets up close and personal with the players competing across the globe each week. From career-threatening injuries and emotional heartbreak, to triumphant victories and personal moments off the court, viewers will get a behind the scenes look at the pressure-tested lives of some of the best tennis players in the world. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews showrunner Darren Lovell. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Break Point yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

When Aaron Quinn reported his girlfriend had been kidnapped in an outrageous home invasion, police suspected he was covering up a crime. Then when Denise Huskins turned up at her parents’ doorstep days later, telling an even more elaborate tale about her abduction, they accused the couple of creating a hoax - one straight out of Hollywood. But miles away a detective investigating an unrelated case discovered a single strand of hair that will tie the sensational cases together. In American Nightmare, Denise and Aaron tell the story of the crime they suffered, the humiliation they endured, and their quest for justice. It unravels the consequences of our cultural rush to judgment — and what happens when law enforcement decides the truth can’t possibly be true. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews 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.

At the height of the Bitcoin boom, Ray Trapani and his friends created a debit card for cryptocurrency. Even though the technology didn’t work and the card was a scam, Centra Tech was making millions of dollars a day. But anyone looking at the operation would discover cut-and-paste business plans, fake executives, and glitchy technology. Bitconned lets Trapani tell his story of fun, fame and fraud as he awaits sentencing for the first high-profile case of the crypto era. Was it real? No. But did it work? Maybe. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Bryan Storkel. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Bitconned yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

A rich Southern family laid low by scandal, fraud...and murder. In this episode, we are talking about our most popular episode from 2023, the Netflix documentary series Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Julia Willoughby Nason & Jenner Furst. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Murdaugh Murders yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. (Listener note: This episode was recorded before the conclusion of Alex Murdaugh's murder trial.) Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

They could be cheered by thousands in a stadium or booed by a few dozen ringside. In 2023, Netflix documentaries and series brought us the stories of famous athletes, music superstars, and little-known dreamers - all of them with lives even more rich and complex away from the spotlight. In this episode, host Rebecca Lavoie features her favorite sports and pop cultures titles from 2023. Films and series include Full Swing, Quarterback, Wrestlers, MerPeople, and WHAM! Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

From cops to criminals, from victims to suspects, from surgeons to patients, Netflix documentary films and series covered incredible real stories in 2023. On this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie features her favorite crime and justice titles from 2023. Films and series include American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing, Victim/Suspect, Depp v Heard, and Emergency NYC. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

With a mix of famous veterans, ambitious newcomers, and a new head coach, The US Women’s National Team prepped for a third championship run in a row. Instead they were handed a stunning early exit which shocked the sporting world. The Netflix documentary series Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team captures all of the personal and team preparation on the road to the 2023 FIFA World Cup. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Rebecca Gitlitz. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Under Pressure yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

In the Netflix film Rustin, activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia while helping change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington. Today, we’ll turn things over to host Tre'vell Anderson of Netflix’s The Official Rustin Podcast. In this episode from the podcast series, Tre’vell talks with director George C. Wolfe about his process of taking a life and turning it into film. Then he speaks to actor Colman Domingo about what it took to portray Rustin and the significance of a gay Black man playing a gay Black man on screen. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

It was the sleeper hit that became a cultural phenomenon. But many fans asked themselves how would I fare at Squid Game? Would I survive Red Light, Green Light? Capture all the marbles? Or would I choose wrong on the Glass Bridge? Now they have their chance. In Squid Game: The Challenge, 456 real players will enter the competition show in pursuit of a life-changing reward of $4.56 million. As they compete through a series of games inspired by the original show - plus surprising new additions - their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Executive Producer Stephen Yemoh. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Squid Game: The Challenge yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Tracing the ingredients, flavors, and techniques of Black cuisine is a walk through American history itself. From Emancipation to the Great Migration, food on the tables in Black homes would evolve with every step. And today, the hottest Black chefs are inspiring and influencing a new generation with a menu that is sometimes more than just a meal. In season two of High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, host Stephen Satterfield travels across the United States to uncover how African-American cuisine has fueled social justice movements, transformed communities, and awakened cultural creativity in America in powerful and lasting ways. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews host Stephen Satterfield. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched High on the Hog yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

With its expensive online courses, Twin Flames Universe promised members would find their true loves. The online cult was better at making money than finding love, so leaders Jeff and Shaleia Ayons began matchmaking its followers with one another. Though many had identified as straight and cis, they were paired with same sex partners and prodded to rethink their gender identity. The Netflix documentary series Escaping Twin Flames examines the controversial online community, brings us into Jeff and Sheleia’s online classroom, and tells the stories of those hurt by its teachings. The series asks whether anything can actually be done to stop it from taking advantage of people who are only looking for love. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews filmmakers Cecilia Peck and Inbal Lessner. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Escaping Twin Flames yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Destined for bit parts and supporting roles, Sylvester Stallone broke out by creating some of the most memorable characters in cinema, including Rocky and Rambo. But in a career filled with unmatched box office punch, many of Sly’s films were ignored by audiences and excoriated by critics. Now an entertainment lion in winter, Stallone is ready to look back at his life and career. In the Netflix documentary film Sly, Stallone takes the gloves off to talk about his unlikely rise to fame, the ups and downs of celebrity, and his disappointments on and off the big screen. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Thom Zimny. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Sly yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Liza Drake is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with a pharmaceutical sales rep puts her on an upwards trajectory economically - but a dubious path ethically - as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Her unhinged boss, her daughter's worsening medical condition, and the awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices. Inspired by true events, the Netflix film Pain Hustlers stars Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Andy Garcia, and Catherine O’Hara. It’s a sharp and revealing look at what some people do out of desperation and others do out of greed. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews BAFTA award winning director and producer David Yates and producer Lawrence Grey. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Pain Hustlers" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

Every living creature can trace its origins to a single cell 4 billion years ago. But the long march of evolution took many twists and turns. Whether fish or amphibian or reptile, one creature would rise to the top…only to be wiped out in one of five mass extinctions. And each time, the fittest among them would rise and inherit the earth. Using cutting edge special effects, the Netflix documentary series “Life on Our Planet” brings alive a menagerie of long extinct creatures, portrayed with scientific accuracy and visual brilliance. From ameba to man, the series journeys through time of who survived and who didn’t. On this episode of "You Can't Make This Up," host Rebecca Lavoie talks to Series Producer Dan Tapster and Producer Sophie Lanfear about the Netflix documentary series “Life on Our Planet.”

In 1980, the Glatzel’s son, David, began having convulsions. A pair of self-styled ghost hunters declared the child was possessed by the devil. The family turned to the church for help, but something went wrong during the exorcism. His sister’s boyfriend challenged Satan to take him on instead. Months later, Arne Cheyenne Johnson was accused of murdering his landlord. The case made headlines when Johnson told the court the devil made him do it. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary film “The Devil on Trial." Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Director Chris Holt. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “The Devil on Trial" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

Soccer legend David Beckham is one of the most known names on the planet, yet few people know who he really is. The four-part Netflix documentary series “BECKHAM” tells the inside story of a global football star and cultural icon. On this episode, we’ll turn things over to our friends at Netflix’s “Skip Intro.” Each week, host Krista Smith brings us dynamic conversations with the exceptional people behind your favorite shows, films, specials, and documentaries on Netflix. In this episode, Krista interviews David Beckham and director Fisher Stevens to find out what went into the making of this exceptional docu-series.

It’s common folklore: a sole witness to a mysterious flying object whose tale of their encounter is met with skepticism. But what if dozens - if not hundreds of people say they all saw something in the sky at the same time? The Netflix series “Encounters” goes beyond the reported incidents of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena or extraterrestrial contact. Why would groups of unconnected people claim to see the same oddities? And how has telling their stories affected their lives? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Encounters." Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer and director Yon Motskin. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Encounters" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

Mike Veeck was a third generation baseball executive, son of the Hall of Fame White Sox owner Bill Veeck. But Mike’s “Disco Demolition” night devolved into an actual riot, with rowdy rock fans charging the field and setting fires. After the debacle, he couldn’t get another job in professional sports. But years later, Mike had the opportunity to purchase a minor league team and put his own stamp on it. Would this be his chance to prove to the world he could make baseball fun? The film “The Saint of Second Chances” follows Mike’s journey from outcast to innovator, chronicling both his professional and personal triumphs and tragedies. Can a man once tarred as a sports pariah get a shot at redemption and change the game? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary film “The Saint of Second Chances" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Morgan Neville and Jeff Malmberg. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “The Saint of Second Chances" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

For those who dream of leaping from the top rope and body slamming their opponent, their journey begins at Ohio Valley Wrestling - a Kentucky-based training ground for would-be stars. But the organization is pinned to the mat, drowning in debt. OVW’s new owners have given the team until the end of summer to get into the black…and that starts a grudge match over the league’s future. The Netflix documentary series “Wrestlers” brings us behind the chaotic scenes at OVW, exposing the athlete’s stories in and out of the ring. Can the group bring in enough new fans to keep it going down for the count once and for all? In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Wrestlers" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Director & Executive Producer Greg Whitely. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Wrestler" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

The Boy Scouts were considered a model youth group, with its emphasis on proud citizenship, self-reliance, and good character. For decades, the national headquarters kept extensive, confidential files on predators within their ranks and their victims. It wasn’t until a legal reckoning that the Scouts were forced to reveal the files’ existence which demonstrated how little they did to address the systemic issue. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary “Scouts Honor" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Brian Knappenberger. Through exclusive interviews with whistleblowers, survivors, and former employees, “Scouts Honor” exposes how the Boy Scouts of America attempted to cover up one of history’s most horrific child sexual abuse scandals. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Scouts Honor" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

College football is life in Florida. Enter Urban Meyer: the Florida Gators’ demanding new head coach. His take-no-prisoners style breeds a string of legendary victories from 2005 to 2010, but also unrelenting drama that ripples well beyond the locker room. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Untold: Swamp Kings" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Katharine English. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Untold: Swamp Kings" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Depp v. Heard" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer Emma Cooper. When actor Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for accusing him of abuse, the world was glued to the trial livestream. Fans took sides, lawyers pulled no punches and social media influencers provided hot takes in real time. And the fates of the parties to the lawsuit were decided as much in the court of public opinion as they were in a court of law. “Depp v. Heard” examines the infamous defamation case that captured the world’s attention and became the world's first trial by TikTok. Showing both testimonies side-by-side for the first time, this series explores this global media event, questioning the nature of truth and the role it plays in our modern society. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Depp v. Heard" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip Hop" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producers Raeshem Nijhon and Carri Twigg. Over the past five decades, hip hop has influenced everything from culture to fashion to politics. Its lyrics have tackled discrimination, sexism and violence, and gave voice to the authentic experiences of millions. But from those first mixtapes to streaming audio, women’s contributions to hip hop have too often been marginalized. “Ladies First” recontextualizes their role in the genre’s 50 years by reinserting them into the canon where they belong: at the center, from day one to present day. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Ladies First" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case," out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Hyoe Yamamoto and producer Rob Sixsmith. Lucie Blackman left her life in England for new experiences in Japan, working as a hostess in a Tokyo nightclub. But her disappearance in 2000 sent shock waves through both nations. Her father launched a media blitz to pressure Japanese authorities; meanwhile, authorities learn a sexual predator has been preying on women undetected for years. “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case” explores the desperate manhunt and the clash of cultures that resulted. Will Tokyo detectives find the criminal believed to have victimized hundreds of women…and answer the question of what happened to Lucie? SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary “The Deepest Breath" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Laura McGann. Freedivers compete by swimming straight down to the deepests depths and back to the surface, all on a single gulp of air. Alessia Zecchini pushed herself to go down farther than any woman before. But she can’t do it without safety divers like Stephen Keenan, great divers in their own right tasked with rescuing competitors who blackout before surfacing. “The Deepest Breath” follows the pair’s growing bond on land and sea. But their quest for world records and championships will place them both in mortal danger. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “The Deepest Breath" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we revisit our discussion of the Netflix film “Lost Girls," out now on Netflix. Guest host Kevin Flynn interviews director Liz Garbus. True crime fans have heard the news from Gilgo Beach: an arrest has been made this month in the Long Island serial killer case. The development has renewed interest in the crimes that baffled authorities for more than a decade. The case was the basis for 2020 Netflix film “Lost Girls.” Starring Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan, the motion picture follows Mari Gilbert as she searches for her missing daughter, Shannan. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Lost Girls" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Quarterback" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Tim Rumpff, Shannon Furman, and Matthew Dissinger. They are the faces of football! Quarterbacks are the marquee players of the NFL and the success of their whole team rests on their shoulder pads. The eight-part series “Quarterback” follows Patrick Mahomes, Marcus Mariota, and Kirk Cousins from the practice field to the gridiron and back home with their families. What makes a QB great? And what does it take to obtain that ultimate goal: a Super Bowl ring? SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Quarterback" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

Next up on You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Quarterback." The series features exclusive, unprecedented access to these marquee players from the beginning of the 2022 season to its conclusion, following them on and off the field, from inside the huddle with teammates to inside their homes with their families. In our next episode, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews directors Tim Rumpff, Shannon Furman, and Matthew Dissinger. If you haven't watched “Quarterback,” make sure to add it to your watch-list before next week’s episode. Stay Tuned!

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary “WHAM!" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews producer Simon Halfon. In 1982, best friends and teenagers George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley set out to conquer the world as WHAM! By 1986, it was over. Now for the very first time, told in their own words, it’s the amazing story of how in four years they dominated the charts around the world with classic pop songs. With unprecedented access to both George and Andrew’s personal archive including never-before-seen footage, alongside rare, candid and previously unheard interviews, the Netflix documentary “WHAM!” charts their incredible journey from school friends to superstars. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “WHAM!" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators,” out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Dan “Nitro” Clark and Lori “Ice” Fetrick. In the days before reality TV game shows, one television program invited viewers to win money completing athletic challenges. The catch: they’d have to beat a team of pumped-up, sexy spoilers known as the American Gladiators. The country went wild for the rock’em sock’em action of everyday men and women facing off against characters like Laser and Gemini. Behind the scenes, the troupe of performers dealt with injuries, steroids, and the perils of being young and famous in Hollywood. But resentment grew as the Gladiators were locked in a modest contract while the production company got rich off of merchandise. Muscles & Mayhem takes us behind the scenes of “American Gladiators.” All the broken bones, screaming groupies, and wild stories of the pioneering television show that was - literally - a hit. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Muscles & Mayhem" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Our Planet II" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer Keith Scholey and series producer Huw Cordey. In every corner of our world, at any given moment, billions of animals have someplace important to be. From whales to pumas, from crablets to cranes – almost every animal migrates. They’re driven by instinct and patterns of their ancestors over millions of years – and the health of our planet depends on it. But as the climate warms and the impact of humanity spreads into ever more remote regions of the natural world, can these animals adapt to survive? “Our Planet II” takes us to some of the most remote locations on the globe and gives us never-before-seen images of creatures on the move and on the hunt. And as the animal kingdom moves with purpose, we must ask whether humans will stand in their way or help them get to where they need to be. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Our Planet II" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “Arnold" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews Executive Producer Allen Hughes and Director Lesley Chilcott. From a tiny village in Austria to the limelight of championship bodybuilding - from conquering Hollywood to capturing Sacramento - Arnold Schwarzenegger's life stands apart. For the first time, Schwarzenegger talks at length about his journey as an athlete and unlikely box office sensation - as well as his jump from public figure to public servant and governor of California. He also opens up about the scandals that rocked his personal life. With commentary from friends, rivals, and colleagues, the series explores Schwarzenegger’s Terminator-like drive to reach a rarefied level of fame - where everyone knows who you are by just one name: Arnold! SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Arnold" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary series “MerPeople" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews executive producer and director Cynthia Wade. No longer the legends of sailors or the stars of fairy tales. Mermaids exist! With a custom-made fin, a can-do attitude, and some strong swimming skills, you too can splash it up as a merperson. Whether it’s entertaining children at birthday parties, wow-ing spectators at Las Vegas casinos, or turning heads at a merpeople pageant, you can bring the magic of the seas to dry land. “MerPeople” dives into the fascinating world of underwater performers who have turned their love for the mystical sea creatures into real-world careers. Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable voyage and immerse yourself in a world where fantasy becomes reality. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “MerPeople" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.

Nicole Chase was a young mom with a daughter to support when she took a job at a local restaurant in Canton, Connecticut. She liked the work and was good at her job. But the place turned out to be more like a frat house than a quaint roadside sandwich spot. And the crude behavior kept escalating – until one day she says her boss went too far and she turned to the local police for help. What happened next would put a detective on the hot seat and lead to a legal battle that would drag on for years. The United States Supreme Court would even get involved. Reveal reporter Rachel de Leon spent years taking a close look at cases across the country in which people reported sexual assaults to police, only to find themselves investigated. In this hour, we explore one case and hear how police interrogated an alleged perpetrator, an alleged victim and each other. De Leon’s investigation is also the subject of the documentary “Victim/Suspect,” now on Netflix.

In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, we are talking about the Netflix documentary film “Victim/Suspect" out now on Netflix. Host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Nancy Schwartzman and journalist Rachel De Leon. An investigative reporter discovered a nationwide pattern of women who’d come forward to report a sexual assault, only to be arrested for filing a false report. But the victims said they recanted because police said they didn’t believe them. Rachel De Leon learned police were employing the same deceptive techniques used in criminal interrogations, even withholding evidence to break a woman’s story and turn a true victim into a suspect. “Victim/Suspect” follows De Leon as she probes what happens when assault survivors seeking justice are punished because investigators do not believe them. The film also recounts the case of several victims who’ve lived with the personal and public pain of false recantations. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched “Victim/Suspect" yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.