Strange News: US on The Brink, North Sentinel Island, a Monster in Maryland and More

Despite concerted efforts of extremely powerful people, the conspiracies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein refuse to disappear from the news. In chapter two of the 2025 Epstein update, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deeper into the bizarre statements of politicians and business tycoons associated with Epstein's international sex crimes, catch up with the latest disturbing developments... and ask what will ultimately happen to Epstein's only accomplice currently imprisoned: the disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.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.

20 Elo 41min

It's no secret that modern automobiles are incredibly convenient. Ben, Matt and Noel are big fans. Cars these days are almost like rolling computers, chock-full of GPS capabilities, infotainment systems, back-up cameras, security systems connected to the cloud and so on. But there's a potential dark side to all this convenience, and some oberservers are becoming increasingly concerned about what corporations and governments may do with this technology over the long term. In this oddly prescient Classic episode, the guys ask: Are we entering a world where Big Brother can brick your car the same way some tech companies can brick your gadgets?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.

19 Elo 51min

Stoolpigeon or upstanding avian? A parrot in the UK helps bust a drug ring. A massive Labubu heist prompts a conversation about artificial scarcity. Speeding fines may soon be based on an offender's financial status, rather than a flat fee. A scientist argues he's solved the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle -- all this and more in this week's strange news segment.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Elo 50min

More than six years after the disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein died in prison, unanswered questions remain. Who else was involved? Is there a list of known accomplices who participated in the abuse of children? In the first part of this two-part series, the gang investigates the disturbing, lingering questions surrounding the ongoing Epstein scandal -- as well as new revelations that only recently came to light.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Elo 42min

Korean pop music, or K-pop, originated in South Korea but has become a powerful, global phenomenon. This multi-billion dollar industry manufacturers scores of pitch-perfect idols and groups, performers who become lead trendsetters in the world of fashion, dance, music and more. Yet there's a dark side to this fame, and a peek behind the curtain reveals a brutal, dangerous world of cut-throat competition, financial corruption and abuse. Tune in to learn about the dark side of K-Pop.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.

14 Elo 1h 5min

What makes a person "cool"? We don't mean physical temperature -- instead, we're asking about the swag, the aura, the almost indescribable vibe with a thousand names across time and culture. For most of human history, the concept of what we call "cool" has been a mystery -- perhaps, that is, until now. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange story of how science may have finally cracked the code on coolness. Could you use this knowledge to make yourself cooler? More importantly... is it cool to want to?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.

14 Elo 1h 7min

Whether you consider yourself a true conspiracy theorist or a diehard skeptic, you've definitely heard of chemtrails. True believers are certain that, unlike the contrails made by aircraft, chemtrails are insidious chemicals dispersions meant to poison unsuspecting, innocent civilians across the planet. The concept of chemtrails has been more or less dismissed by scientists and the mainstream media, but it turns out that, in at least one country, something like chemtrails was very much a reality. Tune in to learn more.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Elo 53min

New reports raise growing concerns that the next US elections may be endangered -- along with a ton of other rights. After 54 years of fire, Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell" may be closing. Radioactive rhinos and wasps. Sex toys thrown during WNBA games. Israel conducts expansive surveillance of Palestinians, prompting a larger conversation about Big Brother. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Elo 1h 6min