American Scandal

In late 1967, the young men of Charlie Company arrive in Vietnam – ill-prepared, poorly led, and thrown into a brutal, confusing counterinsurgency. As frustrations mount and the enemy remains unseen, the stage is set for one of the most infamous atrocities of the Vietnam War. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/...

Sociologist Andrew Whitehead is a Christian worried about an influential force in modern politics: Christian nationalism. He joins Lindsay to discuss how the beliefs that shaped the Weaver family at Ruby Ridge are connected to the movement and how they’re fueling extremism and threatening democratic institutions today. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations,...

Negotiators make a final attempt to resolve the standoff before an FBI assault team moves in with force. Later, both the Weavers’ and the government’s actions are scrutinized in a criminal trial and congressional hearings. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wo...

In the fallout of the initial gun battle, the government sends dozens of highly-armed agents to Ruby Ridge. But as they work under a fog of bad information, FBI leadership takes the extraordinary step of altering their rules of engagement, leading to more bloodshed. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynew...

Randy Weaver is arrested on gun-related charges, but a mix-up over the trial date deepens the Weaver family’s extreme beliefs and sets the scene for a disastrous confrontation with law enforcement Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you...

Radical Christian survivalist Randy Weaver moves his family into the remote mountains of Idaho to wait out the Apocalypse. But his growing involvement in a local neo-Nazi group draws the attention of federal investigators. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wo...

President Nixon fights the release of his secret tapes. But with the country thrust into a constitutional crisis, Nixon has to make a gut-wrenching decision. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episo...

Senate hearing sets in motion a new crisis. With the cover-up unraveling, White House counsel John Dean takes matters into his own hands. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be t...

Woodward and Bernstein uncover a shocking revelation about President Nixon's chief of staff. But when their story is published, the reporters find themselves backed into a corner. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts...

The Washington Post begins investigating a mysterious crime. President Nixon confronts a crisis. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlo...

President Nixon’s reelection campaign hatches a plan. It's dangerous and risky. But it could secure a victory in the upcoming election. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the...

Decades after Georgia Tann’s black market adoption ring was exposed, similar patterns of coercion and control are still unfolding across the U.S. At the Liberty Godparent Home in Lynchburg, Virginia, young pregnant women are isolated, shamed, and pressured into giving up their babies—often in exchange for promises like college scholarships. The home, founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell, reflect...

As the 1940s draws to a close, Georgia Tann is still making thousands from her black-market baby ring. But although she’s been untouchable for the last two decades, a shift in Memphis’s political climate signals trouble. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wond...

Georgia Tann turns her illegal adoption ring into a lucrative business, but questions start to be asked about the high number of children dying in Memphis. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episode...

Georgia Tann tightens her grip on adoption in the city of Memphis, with the help of a growing network of accomplices. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge th...

In the early 20th century, a young woman named Georgia Tann begins her career in social work and becomes determined to change adoption in America—even if it means destroying lives and tearing families apart. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wh...

Edward Snowden tries to flee to Ecuador. But the Obama administration counters with a surprise move, leaving Snowden trapped in Russia.  Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at  https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-fre...

Laura Poitras and Glenn Greenwald prepare to break their story. Edward Snowden goes on the run. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unloc...

Edward Snowden lands a job with the NSA. But when he stumbles on a shocking government secret, Snowden has to face a moral dilemma. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the fir...

Filmmaker Laura Poitras gets a tip from a mysterious informant. Despite the enormous risks, Poitras pursues the story, and teams up with reporter Glenn Greenwald. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all...

Television producers Howard Blumenthal and Bob Boden weren’t old enough to experience the quiz show scandal of the 1950s firsthand, but it had a major impact on their lives and careers. Blumenthal’s father helped produce the rigged quiz show Twenty-One, and Boden worked alongside disgraced producer Dan Enright in the 1980s following his return to television. The two went on to co-found the Nationa...

Twenty-One producer Dan Enright takes drastic action to keep the rigging scandal under wraps by discrediting his accuser, Herbert Stempel. But investigators with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office uncover undeniable proof that soon sparks a Congressional hearing, and puts celebrity champion Charles Van Doren in the hot seat. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recom...

As former quiz show champion Herbert Stempel watches Charles Van Doren continue his staged winning streak on Twenty-One, he threatens to go public with what he knows. Meanwhile, another contestant quietly takes steps of his own to document the show’s fraud. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter L...

Herbert Stempel is given the opportunity of a lifetime when television producer Dan Enright offers him a guaranteed winning streak on the quiz show Twenty-One — so long as he follows the script. Stempel enjoys his newfound celebrity and financial success, but as ratings plateau, the producers search for a fresh face to take his place. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated r...

In the 1950s, America was captivated by high-stakes television quiz shows like The $64,000 Question and Twenty-One, which promised everyday Americans a shot at life-changing winnings. But behind the scenes, producers decided they couldn’t leave the drama to chance. They needed to ensure that the most compelling contestants battled it out week after week, setting the stage for a fraud that would sh...