What is diplomatic immunity? Part III: Shadow Diplomacy

For decades one the world's largest auto manufacturers lied to governments and the public, polluting the planet and evading the same environmental standards they themselves publicly championed. Of course, this is unfortunately a common occurrence in the murky world of corporate power, but here's one big difference: Volkswagen actually got caught. So what happened? Who perpetrated this vast, real-life conspiracy, and how were they caught? Join Ben and his returning special guest, CarStuff's Scott Benjamin, as they explore the strange, twisting tale of Volkswagen's attempt to swindle the public, exposing a genuine conspiracy and asking, perhaps most importantly: What happens next?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 Jun 202355min

The US confirms China has operated a spy station right off the coast of Cuba since at least 2019. A 911 call leads to a bizarre encounter in Las Vegas. New studies reveal Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, may be habitable. 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.

19 Jun 202347min

Snake oil -- it's a strange phrase for all sorts of sham treatments and fake cures. But where did it come from? Why do so many hucksters conspire to sell false hope in the modern day? Join Ben and Matt as they dive deep into the history -- and deeply troubling future -- of snake oil.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.

16 Jun 20231h 3min

An email clarifies some questions about gremlins. Brockness weighs in on the controversial horse racing industry. Multiple Conspiracy Realists write in attempting to help the guys learn more about the Canadian Toothpaste Heist. 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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Jun 202344min

You've heard of bigfoot -- but what about the frogman? Or the grassman? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the strange cryptozoology of Ohio.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 Jun 202353min

On July 18th, 1969, campaign strategist Mary Jo Kopechne and Senator Ted Kennedy were involved in a single-car accident while departing a reunion held at Chappaquiddick island. Only one of them made it it out of the car alive. In the hours, days, weeks, years and decades since, numerous people have tried and failed to come up with conclusive answers about the sequence of events leading to Kopechne's tragic death. Join Ben and Matt as they interview Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan, the screenwriters behind the film Chappaquiddick, as they retrace their steps researching and writing the story, including their inspirations, their beliefs about what actually occurred, and why it's crucial to remember this incident in the modern day.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Jun 202354min

Former intelligence official David Charles Grusch rocks the world of UFOlogy with a stunning claim: extraterrestrial craft are real, and the US government has been collecting them for at least 80 years. Experts worry the world is at the mercy of an economic time bomb as $1.5 trillion in mortgages will come due in the next two years. A new competition focused on “Psychedelic Cryptography” awards artists who make videos with hidden messages designed to be seen by people tripping on hallucinogens. 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.

12 Jun 202347min

Hotels are part of an ancient history -- one dating back into antiquity. For most people, hotels are a pleasant place to pause and relax during a trip. But, as the guys learn in tonight's episode, it turns out there may be quite a bit of Stuff Hotels Don't Want You To Know.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.

9 Jun 202359min