The Double Life of Dennis Rader: The BTK Strangler
In this episode of pplpod, we examine the chilling crimes of Dennis Rader, the American serial killer who terrorized Wichita, Kansas, under the self-given pseudonym BTK, which stood for "bind, torture...
5 Feb 51min
Clickbait: The Anatomy of Digital Misrepresentation
In this episode of pplpod, we deconstruct the phenomenon of clickbait, defined as text or thumbnails designed to entice users to follow a link through deceptive or sensationalized presentation. We exp...
5 Feb 35min
Beyond Physical Abuse: The Hidden Signs of Coercive Control
In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the dynamics of controlling behavior in relationships, exploring how abusers seek to gain and maintain power over their partners through intimidation, coer...
5 Feb 31min
The Flat Earth Phenomenon: Ancient Myths, Medieval Misconceptions, and Modern Conspiracies
In this episode of pplpod, we explore the long and complex history of the Flat Earth theory. While we often joke about the concept today, we dig into its origins as an archaic scientific model in anci...
5 Feb 36min
From Meowing Nuns to Pokémon Panic: The Science of Mass Psychogenic Illness
Why did a convent of French nuns once collectively start meowing like cats until they were forced to stop? How did a 1997 episode of Pokémon result in over 12,000 children reporting illness, despite o...
5 Feb 43min
From Dawkins to Doge: The Evolution, Economics, and "Brain Rot" of Internet Memes
In this episode, we explore the fascinating history and cultural impact of the Internet meme, a unit of culture that spreads virally through imitation and intertextuality. We trace the concept from Ri...
5 Feb 33min
Rabbit Holes & Red Pills: The Psychology, Politics, and Danger of Conspiracy Theories
From the Moon landing to QAnon, conspiracy theories have moved from the fringe to the mainstream, becoming a defining cultural phenomenon of the 21st century,. In this episode of pplpod, we unpack the...
5 Feb 38min
Leonard Lake: The Wilseyville Horror, "Operation Miranda," and the Bunker of Nightmares
This week on pplpod, we descend into the twisted world of Leonard Lake, a survivalist and former Marine who—along with his accomplice Charles Ng—orchestrated one of California’s most gruesome serial k...
5 Feb 26min
