
Strange News: Billionaires are Booming, Elon Musk Cheats at Games, Pardons and Commutations
As one U.S. President leaves and another returns to office, both administrations launch an extraordinary number of pardons and commutations, sparking extreme controversy. Studies indicate the wealth of billionaires is exploding, with at least five trillionaires expected in the next decade. Amid other controversies, Elon Musk is accused of cheating at video games. 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.
27 Jan 1h 12min

Whatever happened to Ambrose Small?
During the turn of the 19th century, a man named Ambrose Small ran Ontario's theatre scene. A known womanizer, gambler and all-around jerk, Ambrose made a ton of enemies with his business dealings. As the rise of motion pictures posed an existential threat to his industry, Ambrose cashed out, sold his business -- and disappeared. More than a century after the fact, people are still asking: What happened?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.
24 Jan 1h 2min

CLASSIC: Inside Scientology with Mike Rinder, Part II: The Future of the Church
How many members does the Church of Scientology actually have? What are they doing in Clearwater, Florida? Perhaps most importantly, what is the future of Scientology? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they continue their interview with Mike Rinder, creator and cohost of Scientology: Fair Game, in the second part of this classic interview 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.
24 Jan 37min

Dangers of the Dark Web: Kill List, with Carl Miller
We've all heard of the Dark Web -- and it's often mischaracterized in popular media. But what happens when you find a site people genuinely think will help them pay for murder? In tonight's special interview, Ben and Matt join the award-winning tech researcher and author Carl Miller to learn more about his harrowing journey into the world of online crime, as he and his team race to save lives across multiple countries in his newest podcast, Kill List.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.
22 Jan 1h 12min

Inside Scientology with Mike Rinder, Part I: An Origin Story
Founded in 1953 by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology describes itself as a religion that puts its adherents on a path toward complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel are joined by Mike Rinder, a former senior official of the Church and cohost of Scientology: Fair Game, for a first-hand, inside look at the organization in this classic interview 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.
21 Jan 53min

Strange News: The California Wildfires Update, Jack the Ripper Breakthroughs, Banning Food Coloring Additives, and More
As California continues to struggle with raging wildfires, the guys explore a proliferation of strange and disturbing allegations related to the ongoing disaster. Cloud-connected sex toys become a new, profitable target for hackers. Recently-discovered DNA evidence in the case of Jack the Ripper may lead to a new inquest -- perhaps finally solving the crimes. The FDA moves to ban certain food coloring additives in a (long-overdue) win for the public. 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.
20 Jan 1h 15min

Cults and Catholicism: The Story of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
The Catholic Church is, by any measure, one of the largest religious forces on the planet. Throughout its long, at-times troubled history, it has weathered numerous scandals: accusations of abuse, crime, and cover-ups. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore the story of a still-unfolding case regarding an apostolic organization called Soladitium Christianae Vitae. Based in Peru, this group billed itself as a wholesome initiative to spread the work of Christ through engagement with the young and the poor. As the guys dig deeper, they uncover a vast, intergenerational conspiracy of abuse.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.
17 Jan 1h 2min

Listener Mail: The Shepherd's Point, Dream Communication, and the Inevitable Rise of Superpowers
Mr. Wiggles responds to the earlier conversation with The Shepherd on the dilemma of food and monoculture. Cabeza de Vaca prompts a conversation about stunning -- alleged -- breakthroughs in dream communication. Colby Jack Cheese inspires Ben to explore the future of gene modification: Could we, one day, give humans physical attributes once restricted to specific animals? The guys speculate on which powers they'd choose -- and want to hear your picks as well. 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.
16 Jan 56min