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From UFOs to psychic powers and government cover-ups, history is riddled with unexplained events. You can turn back now or learn the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know ... an audio podcast from iHeartRadio.
Boozy inspires Ben to propose an investigation into all game show hosts for possible espionage. Swearing In asks why so many tech giants are selling hardware at a loss -- is this part of the surveillance state? The Hero of Canton notes that, of all people, your local law enforcement is actually fighting against the unbridled surveillance of 'Flock Safety'. Also, people who get incarcerated are going to be microchipped. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.
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Math is probably the closest thing humans have to a universal language. Through understanding numbers and their relationships, humanity has been able to learn endless truths about reality -- and these investigations continue today. But what if there's something more to numbers? Could certain digits possess strange vibrations, occult insights or predictive powers? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the puzzling, ancient belief systems collectively known as numerology.
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In this week's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel return to a bizarre harbinger of chaos to come: on November 22, 2020, the United States withdrew from the Treaty on Open Skies. This treaty, signed in 1992, allows 34 member countries to perform unarmed aerial observations over foreign soil. Imagery captured is shared with the member countries. The U.S. cited Russia's activities with regards to the treaty as their reason for withdrawing.
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Could fermented cabbage save humans from microplastics? What's going on with Putin's secretive, multi-billion dollar life extension project? Over in New York, multiple strange people seem to be popping out of the sewers. Legal action by the tech giant Meta forces Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams to silently protest on a Hay Festival panel, where she wasn't allowed to speak. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.
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It's often said that the modern world has two separate courts: the actual court of legal proceedings -- and the much less reliable court of public opinion. Neonatal nurse Lucy Letby is no exception: despite numerous legal concerns and objections to the prosecution of her case, Letby was convicted of multiple child murders, and remains incarcerated in the United Kingdom today. In this interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome the legendary author, activist, journalist and podcaster Amanda Knox, the creator of DOUBT, to learn more about Letby's story.
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S proposes that some modern sports get very close to human sacrifice. Flea asks the gang for recommendations on 'good' HipHop. Laney, the editor of the Tahoe Daily Tribune, asks for more visibility on the Caldor Burn Scar Area. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.
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Depending on whom you ask, Aleister Crowley was: a genius, a conman, a criminal, a philosopher, a prophet, the greatest magician of the modern age, or all of the above. But what was he really like? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange saga of 'the Great Beast' ... and ask whether his ceremonial magick actually worked.
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In this interview, award-winning musical phenomenon Kesha joins the guys on a wide-ranging exploration of everything from UFO disclosure to deep-dive studies of the human brain on psychedelics, allegations of paranormal activity, her new podcast "Kesha and the Creepies" and more.
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The first Steroid Olympics -- officially the 'Enhanced Games' took place in Las Vegas. The bizarre story of an Admiral's neck on Fox. A terrifying chemical disaster in Washington leaves one dead and nine missing. Also: fatal umbrellas, dystopian WiFi surveillance, and some real dodgy real estate grifts. Tune in for all this and more in this week's strange news segment.
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Everybody's heard of Nessie, the infamous cryptid alleged to reside in Scotland's Loch Ness -- but did you know Lake Superior may be home to a mysterious creature all its own? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into the millennia-old legends of something strange in the lake water. Indigenous tradition calls it the Mishipeshu. Today, locals refer to it as 'Pressie'.
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War is an ugly, abhorrent thing--and it's been with humanity since the dawn of our species. While the practice itself is chock-full of conspiracy, corruption and horror, one aspect of war is often ignored: the practice of forcing children to participate. In today's episode, the guys dive into the disturbing stories of children forced into conflict--how the children are taken, how they are indoctrinated, and what happens afterward.
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Human sacrifice is an ancient, surprisingly common and widely-misunderstood practice found in cultures across history. These ritualized murders occurred in all manner of ways, often as an alleged means of bargaining with or seeking favor from the Divine. Nowadays, most people dismiss it as a barbaric practice of older civilizations -- but as Ben, Matt and Noel argue in tonight's episode, there's a huge conspiracy a lot of modern folks are missing. Stay tuned for the twist at the end!
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It's often said there's a great crime at the heart of every great fortune, but what about institutions, inventions and other noble pursuits? In today's episode, Ben and Matt take a closer look at the deeply disturbing origins of some of the world's most lauded endeavors, from the world of medicine to environmentalism, academia and more. Get an up-close look at the skeletons in the closets of these generally good things.
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U.S. agencies make waves with a declaration that the current President -- and all his businesses -- can never be audited. Fish take parasitic and embarrasing rides in the ... backs of manta rays. In Germany (and the United States), legacy automakers may shift to manufacturing hardware for the defense industry. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.
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Over the course of their relatively short career, Sonic Youth absolutely rocked the music world, creating timeless songs and art that remain deeply relevant in the modern day. Yet as special guest Jake Brennan, the legendary creator of Disgraceland, reveals: there's a dark, disturbing story behind the cover art of their breakout, mainstream album Goo. Join Jake as he breaks down the horrific story of the serial killers informing this art... and teaching Ben, Matt and Noel why neither the band nor the artist understood it at first.
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Dropbear Whisperer asks for more exploration of new AI initiatives like Raveneye and BlueHalo. Hidalgo inspires the guys to explore the story of Tina Resch and (alleged) poletergiest activity. Ancient Astronaut Chick shares her bizarre experience with a US President visiting a local hotel. The Roadrunner's Call needs more people to talk about the threat of Flock cameras. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.
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With distinct food, history, and world-famous culture, Louisiana is one of the most unique states in all of the union. It also has some serious problems. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the ongoing -- terrifyingly real -- conspiracy of Louisiana's Cancer Alley.
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In the second part of this Classic series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into another aspect of the global livestock industry: the lives of the animals and humans involved. Learn more about the hidden reality of life for livestock--and how it could eventually impact the entire world, giving rise to superbugs.
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The world follows the bizarre saga of a hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius. Is a new pandemic on the way? A small-town mayor in Georgia attempts to fire the entire police force. The ongoing data center controversy. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.
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Like so many wealthy people, disgraced financier and child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein owned multiple properties across the Western world (spoiler, the day before his final arrest, Epstein tried to buy an obscure palace in Morocco). In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore an unclean place often ignored in the saga. For some reason, one of the world's most successful child abusers purchased a sprawling ranch in the middle of nowhere: a place called Zorro Ranch, in the high desert of central New Mexico. Tune into help the guys figure out the ongoing investigation.
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OrpheusFox hips the guys to a conspiratorial jailbreak... which may have been orchestrated by the CIA. Mr. P. prompts an exploration of mysterious, high-altitude airships. Sea Bat explores the often-buried story of the Port Chicago disaster. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.
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Have you ever used a Tarot deck? Heck, have you designed your own? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange history of the Tarot, from its origin as a card game for wealthy Italians to its present, multivariate state as anything from a fun diversion to a genuine tool of 'divination'. Spoiler, Conspiracy Realists: the guys are pretty convinced they've figured out why the Tarot is so popular -- and how it actually works.
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The global livestock industry employs millions of people in one way or another -- meat is a big business, and business is booming. In communities across the planet meat is often seen as a status symbol, a way to impress friends and announce one's own success -- but how much should meat actually cost? Critics argue every piece of meat, from a fast-food burger to high-end steak and everything in between, is actually riddled with hidden costs that will eventually be paid by everyone, whether or not they personally eat meat. Join Ben and Matt to learn more secrets of the livestock industry in the first chapter of this Classic series.
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In this week's strange news segment: you can officially enter your sperm in an international race! The legendary, divisive Ted Turner is dead, as is Spirit Airlines. Media freedom is trouble. The Supreme Court has again turned on the US public, gutting the Voting Rights Act and allowing for new levels of Suessian gerrymandering -- and endangering your right to actually vote. Tune in for all this and more.
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In an increasingly secular world, people often look back on the past with a mixture of amusement and disdain: "Why," they ask, "would our ancestors really believe in fanciful things like demons, Gods, spirits and angels?" Yet in tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel discover one strange trend that calls these assumptions into question: Why did so many ancient cultures across the world worship snakes, or reptilian-human hybrids? Is there a grain of fact to the legends of Snake Gods? What exactly is a N?ga?
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In this week's listener mail segment: Poe inspires a conversation about the End of Ownership. Chewy Black Heart asks the guys for more about missing scientists. Nikki explores the Bell Witch Cave.
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When the Ammons family moved to their new home in Gary, Indiana, they weren't sure what to expect. Of course, they anticipated all the usual hassles of relocation -- but they weren't expecting demons. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bizarre, tragic saga of a family beset by what they genuinely seemed to feel was demonic possession. The media, the clergy, and even members of law enforcement agreed with them. So: What actually happened?
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On July 17, 1944, over 300 people died in a massive explosion. These weren't soldiers fighting overseas -- they were sailors and civilians near the pier, where hurried loading operations inevitably went wrong. To this day, no one knows what triggered the explosion -- but, in a terrible way, this was only the beginning of the story.
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In this week's strange news segment: Ben and Matt explore a billionaire's mission to save Pablo Escobar's Hippos. Also, western oil profits skyrocket as the conflict in Iran continues, triggering drama in OPEC. But Ku-wait one second... the FBI investigated Bigfoot? What happened at the White House? Also, an epidemic of disappearing Chinese scientists. Tune in to learn more.
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For most of modern history, the concept of ownership was pretty simple. You paid for something, either all at once or over time, and boom: you owned it. However, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in today's episode, powerful forces are conspiring to push consumers away from owning stuff, and into a world of constant, unending subscriptions. "You will own nothing," says the World Economic Forum, "and you will be happy." So what does this mean for the future? How long do we have before we live in a world without ownership?
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In this week's listener mail segment: Ben, Matt and Noel respond to an anonymous call about disappearing scientists and military officials. PCC38Lightning hips the guys to trucking and liberty. J-Ill explains the newer issues with environmental contamination in Coldwater Creek. All this and more -- most importantly, join the show: hit us up at [email protected].
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Tucked away in Suffolk, more than 60 miles from London, the tiny village of Borley is a 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it' spot on the map of the UK countryside. Yet despite its size, this little community was infamous for being home to one of England's most haunted places: the Borley Rectory. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel discover the murky origins of the Rectory... and how one controversial man may have created the legend out of whole cloth.
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Ghislaine Maxwell, long time associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, is currently incarcerated, charged with helping recruit, groom and abuse minors as young as 14 as part of a sex-trafficking ring allegedly operated by Epstein. Observers around the world have voiced concerns that, one way or another, Maxwell might never see a day in court. Part of this fear comes from the fact that Epstein died while in prison -- but there's another thread here, as well: Years earlier, Ghislaine Maxwell's father Robert Maxwell also passed away under mysterious circumstances. Could these deaths be related? If so, what does this mean for the future of Ghislaine Maxwell?
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In this week's strange news segment, Ben, Matt and Noel discuss: the Onion's all-but-certain acquisition of Alex Jones's Infowars, pasta heists and pasta surveillance, zoonotic threats on the horizon, fuel concerns in the EU, and the hilarious fact of Meta/Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg creating his own AI avatar to skip meetings.
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By now, the story of Jeffrey Epstein is familiar to people across the globe. A once-obscure financier, fixer, child abuser and sex trafficker who died under murky circumstance in prison, Epstein is a parable of the dangers of power and perversion. Yet in tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore a dangerous question that's haunted them ever since they began looking into the case: Was Epstein just a wealthy monster? What was his real motivation? Could it be possible that he was working for someone else, and gathering compromising information for a larger, more mysterious goals? What if Epstein wasn't just a well-heeled criminal?
What if he was a spy?
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In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel return to a case that still haunts them: at just 24 years old, Rebecca Coriam had her whole life ahead of her. Her love of physical fitness and knack for teaching made her perfectly-suited for her job in Youth Activities aboard the Disney Wonder, an enormous, high-class cruise ship. On March 22nd, 2011, Coriam vanished from the vessel. The distraught parents and friends of Rebecca puzzled over the cruise line's official explanation -- that a rogue wave had swept her overboard. Over a decade later, the mystery remains: What happened to Rebecca Coriam?
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Are you an outdoorsy type? If so, you know the wilderness is beautiful and dangerous. Slippery terrain, lack of water, poisonous plants, wild animals and other humans can all be a threat... but out in Appalachia, folks are convinced there's another danger at play: supernatural, eerie voices in the woods, luring the unwary to their doom. Live from Baha Mar, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the mystery of the Appalachian Mimic Voice.
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It's true that the founders of the United States all too often failed to live up to the values they espoused in the Constitution and other related documents -- but it appears they were up to even stranger things. In the second episode of this two-part series, the guys delve deeper into some of the strangest, most obscure alleged secrets of the founding fathers, including one terrifying story that is absolutely true.
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The world's trade system is cartoonishly complex, and it depends on multiple factors: one of the most important being trucks. Without semis and truckers, the global economy will immediately collapse -- and, unfortunately, trucking is in trouble. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a catastrophe on the horizon. A spiraling economy, skyrocketing inflation, and disruptive new technology combine to put one of the world's most essential industries is on the verge of collapse. So what happens next?
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The world's trade system is cartoonishly complex, and it depends on multiple factors: one of the most important being trucks. Without semis and truckers, the global economy will immediately collapse -- and, unfortunately, trucking is in trouble. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a catastrophe on the horizon. A spiraling economy, skyrocketing inflation, and disruptive new technology combine to put one of the world's most essential industries is on the verge of collapse. So what happens next?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's listener mail segment: Xevious Wrecks hips Ben and Noel to 'hillbilly toothpicks', a euphemism for raccoon penises, inspiring the guys to never see the internet again. Uncle Bosco explores how you can hack encounters with police by using the alias 'FNU LNU' (spoiler, you get in situations). Jameson reveals a conspiracy afoot with the world's standing record for IQ tests. Sergeant Will proposes that at least a few UFOs are obscure, spooky rigid airships. In our Letters From Home, Trogoldyte shares a phenomenal real-life encounter with rutabagas.
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Nowadays, everyone knows lead is toxic. Yet for thousands of years, it was treated as a miracle substance. Ancient Romans used it in everything from water pipes to wine sweetener -- an ubiquity that may well have contributed to the fall of the Empire as the civilization's collective IQ decreased due to lead exposure. And in the U.S., lead was also widespread until relatively recently. There's fascinating -- and disturbing -- speculation about how lead exposure in childhood may have created a spike in crime in the 1960s and 1970s. And, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, some experts take the theory one step further: Could lead exposure have created a boom in serial killers?
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In this week's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore some extremely weird dudes known as the Founding Fathers of the United States. They're memorialized in monuments, museums, currency, holidays -- the list goes on. For more than a century they were deified, held up as paragons of statecraft. Yet the way they've been portrayed in textbooks often skips over details that ran counter to the shining image sold to generations of school children. You see, the Founding Fathers had secrets... so many, in fact, that we had to make this a two-part episode.
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In this week's strange news segment, Ben, Dylan and Noel explore the story of the legendary Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto — and how the New York Times may have finally discovered his real identity. Also, scientists studying microplastics forgot to account for their plastic gloves! A kid finds a human skull during an Easter Egg hunt. All this and more in today's Strange News.
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Humanity has been obsessed with the idea of death well before the dawn of modern Homo sapiens -- civilization knows what happens to your body when you die, but still has yet to agree on what, if anything, happens to that intangible part of you called the soul. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a profound and disturbing rabbit hole: Will modern technology allow us to literally bring back the dead? If so, how? Most importantly, should we?
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In this week's listener mail segment: Neek the Greek prompts Ben, Matt and Noel to explore AI in live sports commentary. James weighs in with a Mormon perspective on Ben's earlier confirmation of intelligence agencies prioritizing LDS members. Inconspicuous asks the guys for more information about drones. Tune in for the segment, which may inform actual episodes in the future.
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Ben, Matt, and Noel love folklore. After all, stories are one of humanity's first technologies -- and they continue to shape the world today. Most of the modern world accepts that tales of the undead, spirits, oracles and so on are just that: stories. Yet as the guys discover in tonight's trippy thought experiment, there's a growing argument that modern technological breakthroughs aren't just leading to new advancements: when you think about it, technology is increasingly making some of these legends, in practice, real.
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Food is one of the few things that unites the human species -- so it's no surprise the world of food is chock-full of conspiracies. In today's episode, the guys return to the world of conspiracy and cuisine, fielding some of the strangest, most disturbing urban legends and rumors about everything from fast food to livestock and more.
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In this week's strange news segment: Ben, Matt and Noel discover their old conspiracy about VPNs might actually be true. Ben introduces the crew to the latest troubling updates on an orgasm cult. Noel explains how a Kit-Kat heist leaves more questions than answers. Matt shares news about the White House 'ballroom' construction drawing more attention, as it turns out Ben was *not* joking about a secret bunker. Kash Patel sure got hacked. All this and more in our weekly strange news segment.
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As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, Ben, Matt and Noel explore ongoing claims that the Russian government may possess secret "superweapons" capable of changing the course of war. How much of this is sound and fury, signifying nothing? How much of this may lead to new, world-threatening tools of horror? Ben here: it turns out what we mean by "super".
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