Midnight Facts for Insomniacs

~ Become an Insomniac! Join the Midnight Masses by supporting the show on PATREON and unlock exclusive bonus content. ~ Join the community, chat with fellow insomniacs, and vote on episode topics via DISCORD ~ Send Shane and Duncan a message at midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com ~ Rep the show! Grab a tee or mug at the MIDNIGHT MERCH store and spread the word. ~ Follow us on INSTAGRAM

What do a disgraced pizza mogul, a Hollywood predator, a fugitive auto exec, and a guy who accidentally triggered a PR meltdown from a Coldplay Jumbotron have in common? Each one became the face of a very public corporate scandal.   This episode unpacks the downfall of John Schnatter, whose meltdown tanked Papa John’s; Harvey Weinstein, whose decades of abuse shook Hollywood to its core; Carlos Gh...

Every culture has traditions. Some honor the dead. Some feed the local monkey population. Some involve grown men in devil costumes leaping over rows of live infants.   In this episode, Shane and Duncan dive into the world’s weirdest festivals, from tomato-throwing mayhem to camel wrestling to an underwater concert.   Bring goggles. And maybe a helmet.   ~ Become an Insomniac! Join the Midnight Mas...

Grigori Rasputin was many things: a wandering mystic, a spiritual advisor to the Russian royal family, and according to persistent rumors, extremely difficult to kill. Was he actually a holy man with healing powers, or just a manipulative con artist who helped bring down an empire? Most of what you think you know about Rasputin is wrong…but the truth is still pretty wild. ~ Become an Insomniac! Jo...

The first episode covered the origins; now it’s time for the bloodbath. In part two of the Zizian cult series, Shane and Duncan unpack the chilling details of the group’s most violent acts: samurai swords, parricide, and a vegan warlord with delusions of grandeur. From the calculated murders to the dramatic downfall, this is the story of how an online ideology turned into a real-world body count....

They preached compassion, practiced anarchy, and packed a samurai sword. In this episode, Shane and Duncan uncover the bizarre rise and explosive downfall of the Zizian cult—a fringe vegan collective turned militant commune. From utopian ideals to armed standoffs, it’s a tale of charisma, control, and a tugboat full of red flags. ~ Become an Insomniac! Join the Midnight Masses by supporting the sh...

From creatures that soar through moonlit skies with uncanny precision to those that hunt the forest in utter darkness, discover the fascinating adaptations that make these animals masters of the night.   Warning: Episodes may be irreverent, ridiculous, and/or mildly unhinged   ~ Become an Insomniac! Join the Midnight Masses by supporting the show on PATREON and unlock exclusive bonus content. ~ Jo...

Join Shane and Duncan for a journey through the kaleidoscopic world of psychedelics... Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA (ecstasy/molly), and LSD (acid)--once the darlings of counterculture--are now the focus of cutting-edge research into innovative therapies for anxiety and depression. In this irreverent host-swap episode, delve with Duncan into the science, the scandals, and the stories that ma...

Sometimes the most dangerous place to be is on the clock. This week, Shane and Duncan explore workplace events so disastrous that they reshaped industries and regulations worldwide. From the Texas City explosion that turned a harbor into a war zone, to the gas leak that exposed thousands to lethal chemicals, these aren’t just tragic accidents; they’re cautionary tales. ~ Become an Insomniac! Join...

Surviving a plane crash is one thing, but cutting off your own arm to escape a boulder? Whole different level. In this follow-up episode, Shane and Duncan are back with more jaw-dropping true stories of survival against impossible odds. First up: the haunting ordeal of the sailors of the USS Indianapolis, who were left floating in shark-infested waters after one of the worst naval disasters in U.S...

Stranded in the Andes. Lost in the jungle. Trapped in the desert with nothing but a questionable grasp of hydration. History is packed with jaw-dropping survival stories—some inspiring, some terrifying, and a few so ridiculous they strain credibility. In this episode, Shane and Duncan dive into the wildest tales of human endurance, sheer luck, and occasionally, just really poor life choices. ~ Bec...

It was the war to end all wars…until it wasn’t. In 1914, a tangled mess of alliances, ancient grudges, and questionable facial hair decisions erupted into one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. From the assassination that lit the fuse to the bizarre weapons and plot twists, this episode unpacks the chaos, carnage, and sheer absurdity of World War I. Strap in for a deep dive into the Grea...

Gloves on, mouthguards in—this week, Shane and Duncan are stepping into the ring to throw hands with the Sweet Science. How did a sport that started as an all-out brawl become a highly regulated, multi-billion-dollar industry? Who was the first true boxing superstar? And why do boxing matches always seem to spark as much controversy outside the ring as inside it? Lace up, listen in, and get ready...

For years, an enigmatic online puzzle known as Cicada 3301 has baffled cryptographers, hackers, and conspiracy theorists alike. Was it a recruitment tool for a top-secret organization? A test designed by rogue intelligence agencies? Or just the most elaborate internet scavenger hunt ever devised? Join Shane and Duncan as they dive into the mystery, decode the clues, and attempt to unravel one of t...

From ancient dice games to high-tech slot machines, the allure of risk and reward has shaped human behavior for centuries. In this high-rolling episode, unravel the history and psychology of gambling—how it started, why our brains are wired for it, and what keeps us coming back for more. Is it luck, skill, or just pure delusion? Place your bets and tune in for a deep dive into the science of chanc...

Join Shane and Duncan as they dig their claws into the captivating history and evolution of our feline friends. From the revered temple cats of ancient Egypt to the superstition-shrouded mousers of the Middle Ages, and finally to the pampered companions of today, the duo traces the journey of cats through time. Whether you’re a cat lover or simply curious about humanity’s most mysterious semi-dome...

From umbrellas that distribute rain to radios that print the news, here are the most useless pieces of technology ever foisted an unsuspecting public. ~ Become an Insomniac! Join the Midnight Masses by supporting the show on PATREON and unlock exclusive bonus content. ~ Join the community, chat with fellow insomniacs, and vote on episode topics via DISCORD ~ Send Shane and Duncan a message at midn...

Have you ever wondered why we "turn a blind eye," "pull out all the stops," or "fly off the handle"? In this episode, Shane and Duncan dive into the quirky, surprising, and sometimes downright bizarre origins of the phrases we use every day. From ancient customs to historical mishaps, discover the stories behind the words—and how they’ve stood the test of time. Get ready to uncover the ‘writing on...

Merry Christmas, insomniacs! Here's a blast from the past. We hope you're having an amazing holiday season.    How is Santa Claus connected to cannibalism? Which Christmastide holiday commemorates the slaughter of children? How should you decode the cryptic numerology message 20+C+M+B+22? And what's with all of those airborne reindeer? Welcome to Ghosts of Christmases Past, in which Shane and Dunc...

Crack open the door on one of the world’s most intriguing and controversial faiths: The Jehovah’s Witnesses. Despite requiring members to give up holidays, patriotism, voting, birthday celebrations, popular music, any real chance of eternal life in heaven, and blood consumption (seriously), the church topped 8 million members in 2014 and continues to expand. From apocalyptic roots and bold predict...

PART 3! In this final topic of spooky season, unravel the sinister saga of the Manson Family and the pint-sized puppet master who convinced his followers that Helter Skelter was more than just a Beatles song. From the infamous Hollywood murders to the courtroom circus that followed, Shane and Duncan explore how Manson’s twisted charisma led to one of the darkest chapters in American history.   INK...

PART 2! In this final topic of spooky season, unravel the sinister saga of the Manson Family and the pint-sized puppet master who convinced his followers that Helter Skelter was more than just a Beatles song. From the infamous Hollywood murders to the courtroom circus that followed, Shane and Duncan explore how Manson’s twisted charisma led to one of the darkest chapters in American history. ~ Bec...

ENCORE! Shane needed a break, but we'll be back with a regular episode next week. In the meantime, if you need to chat or decompress, join our Discord community: MFFI DISCORD Warning: if you're not a fan of dark humor, feel free to skip this episode. We won't judge you! For our fellow twisted weirdos...enjoy.  "The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of the human genome by honoring those who acci...

In this final topic of spooky season, unravel the sinister saga of the Manson Family and the pint-sized puppet master who convinced his followers that Helter Skelter was more than just a Beatles song. From the infamous Hollywood murders to the courtroom circus that followed, Shane and Duncan explore how Manson’s twisted charisma led to one of the darkest chapters in American history. ~ Become an I...

BEGONE, FOUL DEMON!! NO LONGER SHALL YOU BEDEVIL THE INSOMNIACS OF THE MIDNIGHT MASSES (Apologies for the caps lock, but Satan doesn't respect lowercase.) What's the difference between a demonic vexation, an infestation, and an oppression? How many demons do you have to host to become Legion? And is the Pope really on Twitter? Join the boys for a deep-dive into hellfire and brimstone in this exami...