All Bad Things

David and Rachel discuss the devastating results of a burned-out light bulb on one Florida-bound flight. Script by listener Haley.

Rachel unwinds by making David listen to her pontificate on America's Next Top Model before discussing an actual crowd disaster that could have been much worse.

David and Rachel discuss the mystifying humor and ironic death of The Who drummer Keith Moon. Script by listener Stephen.

David and Rachel discuss how one man's vanity project turned into a dangerous (to humans) and deadly (to animals) 11-year filmmaking venture.

David and Rachel finally wrap up the Challenger series with a look at the findings of the Rogers Commission and a discussion of the normalization of deviance.

David and Rachel get into the weeds of the Rogers Commission report and how gaskets and joints led to the deaths of seven people.

Sorry, this is the total bummer part where we discuss, in depressing detail, the mechanics of what happened to the crew of the Challenger. Don't listen to this one if you're in a bad headspace. When you do listen, do something fun afterwards for self care.

Somehow we made it to Episode 300! On this auspicious occasion, we start a three-part series on the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger, focusing on the rad lives of seven incredible people before discussing their tragic deaths.

David and Rachel discuss a disaster of both engineering and common sense in 1906 Germany. Script by listener Mick, to whom we apologize for all botched pronunciations.

On the heels of the ending of season one of "The Last of Us", David and Rachel discuss a fungus that can actually kill (but not turn you into a zombie).

David and Rachel discuss the ecosystem of the island of Minong (a.k.a. Isle Royale) in Lake Superior and how its wolf population is a microcosm of the much larger issues of climate change and human interference in ecosystem balances. Script by listener and Yooper Nicole

David and Rachel discuss the problematic life and premature death of Doors frontman and American poet Jim Morrison.

David and Rachel discuss the historical treachery of mining, courtesy of a script by faithful contributor Stephen.

David and Rachel offer up a palate cleanser - a sorbet, if you will. Let's learn about the deadly and ancient cassowary together!

David and Rachel finally get to the heart of the matter to discuss the Mariel Boatlift and its decades-long ramifications.

David and Rachel inch closer to the actual topic of the Mariel Boatlift by providing further context of what immigration to the U.S. from Cuba was like between 1959 and 1973, including freedom flights and a the chaotic Camarioca boatlift.

David and Rachel cover the historical and sociopolitical background of Cuba and Cuban-American relations in light of immigration to the United States by hundreds of thousands of people from Cuba during the latter half of the 20th century.

David and Rachel discuss the tragic sinking of the SS Admiral Sampson in Puget Sound. Script by listener Mick.

In a well-timed topic, David and Rachel discuss a measles outbreak started at Disneyland in December 2014 while Rachel attempts to recover from a wicked (non-COVID) virus. Research by listener Haley.

David and Rachel welcome favorite (sorry to others, she's my sister) guest Sarah to discuss the (relatively) recent phenomenon of selfie-related deaths.

Happy New Year! Join David and Rachel for a wild ride courtesy of notorious daredevil Evel Knievel and multiple broken bones.

In honor of "Boxing Day", David and Rachel discuss the untimely death of Duk-Koo Kim, another tragic entry into the 27 Club, whose death changed boxing forever. Another stellar script by Lee Hutch, author of "So Others May Live" and "Molly's Song".

Buckle in for a bumpy ride with a happy ending just in time for the holidays! David and Rachel discuss the crash landing of British Airways Flight 38 (a.k.a. "Jim") courtesy of a firsthand account by survivor John.

David leads us all along the primrose path and just when you think you know what's going to happen . . .

David and Rachel discuss Jurassic Park, MC Hammer, and the devastation caused to the Australian ecosystem when humans introduced the cane toad to the continent. Script by listener and frequent contributor Stephen.