• CLASSIC: The Windover Bog Bodies
    Nov 19 2024

    In 1982, in Titusville, Florida, construction worker Steve Vandejagt happened across a skull amid the muck and debris of the job site. And this was only the beginning of the mystery. Steve had accidentally uncovered one of the oldest gravesites in the United States, proof of an ancient, mysterious culture that existed more than 7,000 years ago. Join the guys as they dive into the story of the Windover Bog Bodies.

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    55 mins
  • Strange News: Did Russia Just Threaten The Next President? A Wicked Debacle. FDA Pulls Decongestant From The Market
    Nov 18 2024

    In this week's strange news segment: In the wake of the recent US Presidential Election, Russian President Putin's aide Nikolai Patrushev releases a bizarre statement about "obligations." A misprint on merchandise for the film adaptation of Wicked takes some consumers to adult content. The US FDA announced a proposal to remove oral phenylephrine from the market, citing evidence that it doesn’t work. All this and more, plus a lot of puns.

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    59 mins
  • The Disappearance of Andreen McDonald: A Larger Context
    Nov 15 2024

    On paper, Andreen and her husband Andre McDonald lived a life most Americans would envy - a self-made millionaire power couple, the McDonalds regularly contributed to philanthropic causes in their native community, as well as in their San Antonio community. On March 1st, 2019, Andreen McDonald was reported missing. In tonight's exploration, Ben, Matt and Noel map out the heartbreaking events, while also examining the larger, multigenerational context often left unexplored. Warning: this episode may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, please don't hesitate to reach out for resources and support. The US Domestic Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at the following number: 800-799-7233.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Listener Mail: Chinese Spyware, The Amish, DC, and Letters From Home
    Nov 15 2024

    Don Vee shares on-the-ground experience with Amish millionaires. Wonko the Sane reaches out on the story of Chinese tech espionage. A Phlounder reacts to Ben's earlier question about social media, and the gang gives Dupont Dave some choice recommendations for tourism in Washington, DC. All this and more in tonight's listener mail segment, hurtling headward toward the American celebration of Thanksgiving.

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    41 mins
  • Are TV Court Shows Real?
    Nov 13 2024

    If you've ever had the dubious pleasure of watching daytime TV in the US -- possibly in a waiting room -- then you've probably witnessed a particular genre of programming: the TV court show. From far enough away, these shows look a lot like an actual court. You've got the usual courtroom cast, along with an escalated version of actual courtroom events. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask: Are these shows real? What exactly do we mean by "real"?

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • CLASSIC: Eye tracking and Advertising
    Nov 12 2024

    Ads are ubiquitous on the internet, and even if you use an ad blocker or two, you're bound to see a few things slip through. Luckily, those ads don't really give advertisers any new information about you unless you interact with them... right? Not so fast. Eye tracking technology can glean an enormous amount about your attention, as well as your reactions to a given image or piece of language, just by watching how you watch, gaze or glance at an ad. So how much can they learn, exactly? Does eye tracking allow companies to, in some sense, read your thoughts? Strap in for the answers to these questions and more in tonight's Classic episode.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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    57 mins
  • Strange News: Peanut the Squirrel, Nashville Drone Attack, Mystery Song Identified, IKEA Finally Pays East German Prisoners
    Nov 11 2024

    The tragic saga of Peanut the Squirrel becomes oddly politicized. The Feds prevent a massive drone attack on a power station in Nashville. IKEA agrees to pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners. Hackers demand payment in baguettes, and the guys tease a mysterious scandal out in Oklahoma. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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    59 mins
  • CLASSIC: The Red Market: Is China Executing People To Harvest Their Organs?
    Nov 8 2024

    Until the day we're able to manufacture affordable, reliable organs from scratch, organ transplants will remain the only hope for millions of sick and dying people across the planet. For this reason, organs have been a big business for decades -- and not all aspects of the business are legal. For years rumors have been brewing about the organ trade in China. Why is the waiting time for a transplant so low? Where are all these organs actually coming from? The answer may terrify you. Strap in as the guys dive into the stuff China doesn't want you to know about the organ trade in tonight's Classic episode -- and don't forget to check out our (extremely creepy) video on YouTube.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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    57 mins