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Every episode
Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
30 episodes
Strange News: Trouble at the Cheese Bank, Wildfire Betting, AI Viruses, ICE Shock Gloves, Robocop for Shoplifters, and More
Aug 17, 2026 · 58 min
Intense heat endangers Italy's cheese banks (which are apparently a thing). Congress weighs whether to ban people from betting on wildfires. ICE plans to roll out electric shock gloves. In the UK, Greggs brings in 'robocops' to deter shoplifters. Oh! And scientists are using AI to design new, real-life viruses. Tune in for all this and more in this week's strange news segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com…
Stuff They Don’t Want YouTube Know, Chapter Two: A Narrative War
Aug 14, 2026 · 47 min
As the largest video-sharing platform on the planet, YouTube can make -- or break -- the careers of billions of creators through policy changes or demonetization. For many people, it's become the primary source of news, education, and entertainment. And other powerful forces are paying attention. In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore how everyone from large corporations to state-level powers, intelligence agencies, and extremist groups push to control…
"CLASSIC: What is the Military-entertainment Complex? "
Aug 13, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
In tonight's Classic episode, Ben and Matt return to a continual fascination: Eisenhower warned the public about the rise of the military-industrial complex back in his 1961 farewell address, and over the decades the public has become increasingly aware of the potential for corruption in the close relationship between the military and the private defense industry. But have you heard of the military-entertainment complex? It's the reason you see the US military in so many action films, and the re…
Stuff They Don’t Want YouTube Know, Chapter One: "Me at the Zoo"
Aug 12, 2026 · 43 min
With hundreds of hours of content uploaded every single minute, YouTube is is the world's largest video-sharing platform. Billions of users log on constantly, and you can, in theory find information on anything. Yet as Ben, Matt, and Noel discover in the first chapter of this special two-part series, YouTube's massive success also comes with controversy... and accusations of conspiracy. Tune in to learn more of the 'Stuff They Don't Want YouTube Know'. They don't want you to read our book.: http…
CLASSIC: Who killed John Parsons Wheeler?
Aug 11, 2026 · 59 min
John Parsons Wheeler III -- Jack to his friends -- was a mover and shaker in the Defense industry. Over the course of his career he worked with three different Presidential administrations, and also built a reputation for his tireless charity work. So how can we explain the strange series of events that led to his untimely death, his body discovered in a landfill? Tune in to learn more in tonight's Classic episode. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/st…
Strange News: Denmark Doubles Down, Google Messes Up AI, several Naked Folks Get in Trouble, RFK Jr., and More
Aug 10, 2026 · 59 min
In response to the USA's weird obsession with Greenland, Denmark prepares to send its first wave of conscripts. Google makes a massive fumble with a short-lived AI program that allowed people to just 'make up' stuff on Google Earth. Multiple naked guys get on the wrong side of the law, including one who claimed to be Jesus Christ. Also, for some reason, RFK Jr. wants you to know he doesn't have a gag reflex. All this and more in this week's strange news segment. They don't want you to read our b…
The True Story of Raytheon: Three Guys Got Super Into Refrigerators (and then War)
Aug 7, 2026 · 53 min
Officially known as the RTX Corporation, the company commonly called Raytheon is one of the biggest defense and aerospace conglomerates on the planet. And with that comes a slew of controversies, cover-ups, and accusations of conspiracy. In tonight's episode, Ben, Noel, and Dylan explore how three guys who were super into refrigerators ended up saving the Allies in World War II ... and quickly realized war is great for business. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com…
Listener Mail: The Minuteman, the October Suprise, Vermin Supreme and More
Aug 6, 2026 · 47 min
Duke Nukem shares his personal experience working with the Minuteman III. Replying to the episode on conscription, Ian proposes a map for basic training. HR follows up on the story of the USS Liberty, asking for more about the concept of the 'October Surprise'. Night Shift hopes more people talk about an up-and-coming politician named Vermin Supreme. Tune in for all this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/…
The Organ Trail, with Mangesh Hattikudur
Aug 5, 2026 · 59 min
How far would you go to extend your life? While this has always been a focus of the rich and powerful, recent scientific breakthroughs may make an extended lifespan -- or even immortality -- a reality. And with that possibility comes a host of deep ethical and economic implications, from the idea of cloned human organs to how societies can (or can't) deal with a world where no one dies. In tonight's interview segment, Ben, Noel and Dylan welcome Mangesh Hattikudur, the creator of Skyline Drive:…
CLASSIC: Power, Water and Texas: What happened?
Aug 4, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
When an unprecedented series of winter storms left millions of people throughout Texas struggling to survive without electricity or clean water, local authorities scrambled to get the lights back on--and to find a scapegoat. What exactly happened? What is it about Texas in particular that made the state so vunerable to this weather, and what happens next? Tune in to learn more. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.co…
Strange News: AI and the New Age of 'Book Burning', eBay and Stalking, Fauci Rides Again, and More
Aug 3, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Online commerce giant eBay gets in deep, hot water for stalking and harassing a pair of trade journalists -- and some actual eBay employees got in trouble. Dr. Fauci has a tense hang session with Congress. The great data center debate continues. Stunning revelations find 'AI' companies have been secretly buying up non-digitized books to feed their models -- and destroying the books afterward. New Jersey becomes the first state to ban grocery stores from jacking up prices based on your personal i…
The Hidden Horrors of Elephant Shows
Jul 31, 2026 · 49 min
Elephants are amazing. In addition to being huge, they're also some of the smartest land animals out there (seriously, they have the biggest brains). Yet despite their unique nature, humans have historically mistreated elephants -- and continue to do so today. In tonight's episode, Ben, Noel and Dylan explore the hidden horrors of 'elephant shows'. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa…
Listener Mail: Wrestling From the Inside, The Rise of Jimothy, the Guys Call Monsanto and More
Jul 30, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Sasquatch's Stunt Double provides an in-depth look at Pro Wrestling. Stoned Coyote inspires a conversation about the short-spined, viral raccoon Jimothy. The Truest Lock shares a story about helicopter repairs, the draft -- and whether the U.S. would be better with mandatory community service. Plus, the guys call Monsanto's Seed Snitch line. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read…
The Devil's Quarry, with Paul Solotaroff
Jul 29, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
In the fall of 1995, hunters in rural Carmel, New York discovered the remains of 12-year-old Josette Wright. The discovery set the town and local law enforcement into a frenzy, desperate to close the case even if doing so meant bending the law. In this exclusive interview with Paul Solotaroff, the award-winning investigative journalist and creator of the hit podcast The Devil's Quarry, Ben, Matt and Noel learn more about this harrowing tale of crime, cover-up and corruption. Tune in to learn how…
CLASSIC: Ancient Flying Machines
Jul 28, 2026 · 53 min
Tales of ancient, advanced technologies have flourished in the last few decades. Is it possible that the stories of flying gods and machines contained in the Vedas — texts written in India over 3000 years ago — are based on real, now lost technological advancements? Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more in this week's Classic episode. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…
Strange News: No Elections in Nicaragua, Japan's New Refrigerators, The Death of Daniel Siad, Journalists Imperiled, and More
Jul 27, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega pitches pausing elections -- causing Ben, Matt and Noel to wonder about the future of the United States. Japan invents a new type of 'human refrigerator' to combat growing heat. Former Epstein collaborator Daniel Siad passes away under mysterious circumstances in Paris. Uncle Sam desperately searches for the the sources behind recent journalists' reports at The New York Times. A bizarre incident outside of a federal building in New York. All this and more in t…
What Really Happened to the U.S.S. Liberty? Chapter Two: Conspiracies and Questions
Jul 24, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
In 1967, under circumstances that still seem incredibly murky, Israeli air and sea forces attacked the USS Liberty, killing 34 crewmembers and injuring more than 170 others. The official story, agreed on by both the United States and Israel: this was a mistake in the fog of the Six-Day War. Perhaps a result of communication breakdowns. Yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in the second chapter of this two-part series -- survivors, politicians, and activists aren't buying the official story. So wh…
CLASSIC: Contaminants in Baby Food
Jul 23, 2026 · 53 min
From formula to pureed carrots, baby food is a massive -- and necessary -- industry. Each year millions upon millions of families search for the best, most nutritious food to feed their children, and there's no shortage of advice from experts and parents alike. However, it appears there's a secret to this industry: Numerous baby food products contain ingredients parents can't see on the label, including contaminants like mercury, lead, arsenic and more. How long has this been occurring? What did…
What Really Happened to the U.S.S. Liberty? Chapter One: Trouble Brewing
Jul 22, 2026 · 42 min
An open secret: cover-ups are nothing new to the world's militaries, and the United States is no exception. In the first chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the standing controversy -- and accusations of conspiracy -- surrounding the nation of Israel's 1967 attack on the USS Liberty. Everyone acknowledges the facts of the attack. And both countries issued statements indicating this was an accident. But... decades after the fact, even now in 2026, multiple s…
CLASSIC: What is Falun Gong?
Jul 21, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
The movement known as Falun Dafa or Falun Gong began in China in the 1990s, and today people across the planet consider themselves practicioners. Adherents claim this combination of meditation, breathing exercises, mindfulness and moral philosophy is a path to enlightenment -- but the government of China disagrees. For decades Chinese authorities have considered Falun Gong a dangerous, subversive element. Since 1999 the government has made concerted efforts to suppress this spiritual practice --…
Strange News: Financial Shenanigans, Penis Crimes and Mouths Sewn Shut, Nolan Wells, the Explosive Diarrhea Crisis, the End of Daylight Savings Time and More
Jul 20, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
ROK's SK hynix raises 26.5 billion dollars in the United States, prompting a conversation about the tricky nature of the 'AI' bubble. A woman castrates her husband in Russia, and a lady in Japan sews someone's mouth shut. Taco Bell releases a statement on America's epidemic of explosive diarrhea. Ben, Matt and Noel always like to end the weekly strange news segment on a good note, so get this, folks: the U.S. may finally be done with Daylight Savings Time. They don't want you to read our book.:…
The Return of Conscription
Jul 17, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
On six separate occasions during its relatively short history, the United States has practiced conscription: forcing certain members of the public to join the military. In the States, we often just refer to this as 'the draft'. Ever since the close of the Vietnam War, Uncle Sam's fighting forces have been entirely voluntary... yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, that may change -- and sooner than we'd all like to admit. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.…
Listener Mail: Inside the Pentagon, Child Abuse in Ohio, the Guys' New Favorite Politician (LONG LIVE COUNT BINFACE!), and More
Jul 16, 2026 · 54 min
Hannah shares their experience exploring the inner workings of the Pentagon. Hidalgo prompts a conversation about the terrifying child abuse case unfolding in Vinton, Ohio. CominginhotfromtheUnited Kingdom, K introduces the guys to a darkly hilarious political scandal... and their new favorite MP candidate, Binface. Join Ben, Matt Noel for all this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/…
Wrestling is Full of Conspiracies
Jul 15, 2026 · 52 min
Fellow Conspiracy Realists: Ben, Matt, and Noel love pro wrestling. It occupies a distinct niche in American culture from Canada to Mexico -- and it's a huge business. However, as the guys learn in tonight's episode, this multi-billion dollar industry is also riddled with accusations of corruption, crime, and conspiracy. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
CLASSIC: What is Adrenochrome?
Jul 14, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
In this week's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel tackle Adrenochrome: it's a real substance, and one sold openly online to labs with the proper paperwork. It's also mentioned in numerous works of literature, from Huxley's "The Doors of Perception" to Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and more. But what exactly is it? Why do people believe it's a sinister, evil drug used by hopelessly addicted elites in the worlds of finance, politics and entertainment? Tune in to learn more…
Strange News: Sun Valley's Billionaire Summer Camp, Daredevils Scale Skyscrapers, an Iranian Funeral, PFAs, and We Just Created Synthetic Life
Jul 13, 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Ben, Matt and Noel learn about the mysterious, secret 'billionaire summer camp' in Sun Valley Idaho (oh, to be in the 'room where it happens!'). A daredevil couple gets in hot water for scaling the Empire State Building. Explosive diarrhea takes over Michigan. An Iranian funeral. Uncle Sam says PFAs are fine. Oh, and for better or worse, we just created synthetic life. Tune in for all this and more in this week's strange news segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmill…
Where are the Next Pandemics?
Jul 10, 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Before the breakout of COVID-19, Ben, Matt and Noel predicted a pandemic was on the way. Fast forward to 2026, and many of the same experts the world earlier ignored are raising new alarms: across the world, multiple infections may break through the old checks and balances of evolution to create new pandemics. Some of these could be far deadlier than COVID... and humanity is thoroughly unprepared for a new disaster. Tune in to learn more. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.mac…
Listener Mail: How News Works, IGU Returns, Cooking Salamander Tacos, and More
Jul 9, 2026 · 52 min
In this week's listener mail segment: Colin inspires a conversation about the nature of understanding the news -- and why 'triangulating' conflicting news sources remains crucial. Newly-hired to Illumination Global, Unlimited, Calamatiy Chris weighs in with some work notes. Dory plays ShotSpotter. A Certain Chef walks through the science of cooking tacos with salamanders. In response to the guys' two-chapter on series on Flock, W.M. Bacon hips fellow Conspiracy Realists to a show called "Person…
CLASSIC: The Philadelphia Experiment
Jul 8, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Here's the story: In October of 1943, hundreds of people watched a top secret experiment go horribly wrong. The US Navy, attempting to create a kind of invisibility cloak for ships, accidentally transported the USS Eldridge through time and space, with disastrous consequences for the crew. It's a thrilling tale, but how much of it is true? Tune in as the guys explore the origin of this bizarre legend (and bust some myths about cream cheese along the way) in this week's Classic episode. They don'…
What is Mirror Life?
Jul 8, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Earth is teeming with life, and despite these billions of organisms seeming so different -- it turns out that pretty much all life has surprising commonalities science still hasn't figure out. All our molecules follow the same basic 'directions'. And, recently, experts realized it may be possible to 'flip' these directions, and create cells with opposite or mirrored directions. This could provide massive medicinal and research benefits -- yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel learn in tonight's episode, th…
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