FAKD

We've OFFICIALLY reached 200 episodes! Thank you everyone that chooses to listen to my podcast and hopefully here's to 200 more! From a science fiction writer to a global religion worth billions—this episode breaks down the origins of Scientology, the rise of L. Ron Hubbard, and the controversies that have followed for decades. We explore its beliefs, secret teachings, celebrity influence, and the...

In this episode we talk about a new scam that was discovered surrounding a one night stand and a trip to a "planner parenthood". Is this legitimate or "extortion through abortion"?

What happens when your Coachella wristband scans… and suddenly stops working? In this episode, we break down the hidden world of Coachella ticket scams, StubHub resellers, and the shocking loophole in wristband ownership that’s leaving festival-goers locked out after paying hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. We uncover how Coachella’s RFID wristband system works, why activating your ticket doe...

We landed on the Moon over 50 years ago—so why is NASA going back… and not even landing? In this episode, we break down the real reason behind the Artemis missions, why Artemis II is only flying around the Moon, and what’s actually changed since the Apollo era. From entirely new spacecraft to stricter safety standards and bigger long-term goals, this isn’t a repeat mission—it’s a complete rebuild....

April Fools’ Day is supposed to be harmless fun… but what happens when billion-dollar companies take the joke too far? In this episode, we break down real April Fools pranks that backfired in a big way—from fake rebrands that shook investors to email features that cost people their jobs. Some of these stunts caused public outrage, others triggered real-world consequences, and a few blurred the lin...

What if an entire healthcare industry started with a ghost? In this episode of FAKD, we dive into the bizarre origin story of chiropractic medicine—founded in 1895 by D.D. Palmer, who claimed he learned spinal manipulation from a spirit during a séance. From its supernatural beginnings to its modern-day presence in clinics across the world, chiropractic has evolved into a controversial and widely...

You’ve seen the Disney castle your entire life. Massive. Magical. Untouchable. But what if it’s not actually the size your brain thinks it is? And what if the American flags all over Disney… aren’t even real? In this episode of the FAKD Podcast, we break down two of Disney’s most subtle illusions: The castle, built using forced perspective to appear far larger than it really is… And the flags, int...

In this episode Dan Anderson tells us all about the Cult church located in Greenville, Ohio called Church Of God Restoration. This Cult has every red flag when it comes to cult operations, fear mongering its' members so they never leave, sexual abuse, even choosing what underwear color women should wear! This is a crazy exposure of a Cult that has gone unchecked since the 1980s and i anticipate th...

Japan has some of the strictest packaging and labeling laws in the world—and companies can face serious consequences for misleading consumers. In this episode of the FAKD Podcast, we break down when these laws started, real scandals that shaped them, and how they compare to the U.S. system. If you’ve ever wondered whether food packaging is a scam, this episode will change how you see grocery store...

Most people think an oil change is routine… but what if it’s one of the most common everyday scams? In this episode, we uncover the hidden history of the quick-lube industry, the psychological tactics used to pressure customers, and the modern upsell traps happening right now. Learn how to spot red flags, avoid fear-based sales tactics, and become streetwise before your next visit.

In this episode, we trace the shocking evolution of AI — from a 1950s academic experiment to today’s powerful autonomous agents — and explore the platforms now allowing AI to hire real humans to complete tasks in the physical world. How does software suddenly have the authority to manage people? Who is funding these AI agents? Are major companies already experimenting with this? And what happens w...

In this episode we will be looking at FAKE companies! In light of whats going on in Minnesota with the day care scams, health insurance scams, etc. I figured we'd talk about this in an episode! Learn all about how companies create legal and illegal FAKE companies to hide things.

Cults don’t look like cults—until you’re already inside. In this episode, we break down what actually makes a cult, how high-control groups manipulate belief, identity, and fear, and why these tactics still work today. From historical cults to modern groups operating in plain sight—including a real example based in New Knoxville, Ohio—we explore how cults recruit, control, and survive. You’ll lear...

Every year, generosity spikes. And every year, scammers count on it. In this episode, we uncover the true history of Christmas scams—from fake charity collectors roaming 19th-century streets, to counterfeit Sears catalogs that stole holiday money before the internet even existed, to mall Santas who vanished with family photo payments, and investment schemes that preyed on year-end bonuses. These a...

🎄 Discover the surprising history of artificial Christmas trees — from 1800s German feather trees to space-age aluminum creations, bottlebrush designs, PVC classics, and today’s smart LED holiday trees. Learn how deforestation, mid-century trends, and modern tech shaped the artificial Christmas tree industry. This episode covers vintage feather trees, aluminum Evergleam trees, retro color wheels,...

Black Friday isn’t just deals — it’s a minefield. In this FAKD episode, we break down the top 10 scams hitting shoppers every year: fake mega-deal sites, bogus delivery texts, sketchy marketplace listings, and more. Quick, sharp, and guaranteed to save you money… or at least your dignity.

From fake heart attacks to phony food critics, we’re exposing the most ridiculous ways people have tried to scam restaurants out of paying. Each story is a wild mix of greed, creativity, and chaos — and most end in total failure. It’s true crime meets table service, one absurd free-meal attempt at a time.

McDonald’s Monopoly is one of the most famous fast-food promotions in history—but did you know it was once at the center of a $24 million scam? In this episode, we dive into the full story: how the game began in the late 80s, the rules that made it so addictive, and how an insider rigged the system for over a decade. We’ll cover how the FBI finally shut it down, what happened to the game afterward...

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode we’re joined by Brad from Joyburst to dive into a fascinating – and honestly eye-opening – story about how one single TikTok video, built on a false narrative, had the power to get Joyburst pulled from Costco shelves. We’ll talk about how misinformation spreads so quickly on social platforms, why it’s crucial to set the record straight when it comes to...

In 1936, a small brass plate buried in the dirt seemed to solve one of America’s biggest mysteries: where Sir Francis Drake landed on the California coast in 1579. Celebrated as the “holy grail” of California history, the plate was hailed by scholars and displayed in museums for decades. But there was just one problem… it was a prank. Join us as we unravel the wild story of how a historical societ...

in this episode we sit down wirh Neal Shah from Counterforce Health AI which is a free tool online that allows individuals to have AI to go to bat for you and increase your chances your insurance claim won't be denied

A tourist in Venice gets pickpocketed—then tracks the thief down and grabs her by the ponytail. We break down the wild story, Italy’s pickpocketing problem, why under-14s often walk free, and how to protect yourself (and your stuff) while traveling.

Fake pilot licenses? In this episode, we expose the shocking Pakistan aviation scandal where hundreds flew without real credentials — and reveal similar frauds around the world. Discover how fake pilots got airborne, and what it means for global aviation safety.

Planning a trip to Sweden? Don’t get scammed while chasing the Northern Lights. In this episode, we uncover the top 10 tourist scams happening across Stockholm, Gothenburg, and beyond—plus real tips on how to avoid them. From fake charities to taxi tricks, we’ll keep your wallet safe while you soak up the beauty. Travel smart, not sorry.

🚀 Did the Van Allen radiation belt make the Moon landing impossible? In this episode, we break down what the belts really are, why conspiracy theorists latch onto them, and how NASA safely got through. Science vs. myth—let’s set the record straight.