Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Toward the end of World War II, German forces realized they were in an unsustainable situation, on the losing side of a war rapidly drawing to a close. In an effort to prop up their wartime economy, the Nazi party stole and fenced tons of gold and other valuables -- and, depending on who you ask, some of that gold remains hidden away and forgotten in the modern day. Join the guys as they delve int...

A massive olive oil heist. Some US politicians apparently genuinely want to annex Greenland, and rename it to "Red, White and Blueland." New York Mayor Eric Adams -- who's huge in Türkiye -- will have all corruption charges dropped. An update on Mangione's legal crowdfunding. Corporate chemical giant Bayer fights back against anti-pesticide activists. Sweden rolls out DUI laws for drone pilot...

If you're like more than 90% of Americans, you own a cellphone of some kind -- and it's no wonder. Like tablets or smart speakers, these handy devices are incredibly convenient, providing a universe's worth of knowledge at your fingertips... at a price. What exactly do your smart devices know about you, and where is all that information going? Tune in to learn more with Ben and Matt in tonight's C...

Colby Jack Cheese continues the conversation about chimeras. Ward invites the gang to a Bigfoot Festival. Mike gives a first-hand account of fighting fires out west. Plebe prompts a conversation about telepathic communication -- all this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudi...

What does the Consitution say about self-armed paramilitary forces? Can a state create its own defense force, functioning under the supervision of a governor rather than the command of the larger armed forces? Inspired by an earlier conversation with Conspiracy Realist Anonymous Owl, the guys explore the bizarre position of state militias in the U.S. -- and what this odd legal arrangement may mean...

Have you ever felt as if somebody was watching, following or even stalking you? If so, you're not alone. Most people have, at some time or another, had an experience like this -- and, tragically, many people are physically stalked every year. Yet there's a strange twist to the tale: More and more people are claiming they're being stalked by a group of people -- a gang. Join Ben and Matt to learn m...

Unelected "special government employee" Elon Musk continues to lead an unprecedented flurry of changes and cuts to US institutions - supporters call it good budgeting; critics call it an attack on democracy. Rising egg prices lead to a massive heist, and Waffle House is charging a per-egg fee to diners. The Pentagon changes its media stance, Google lifts its long-standing ban on AI weaponry. Oh, a...

What's the longest amount of time you've spent away from social media? For many of us, the answer is "not long." Across the planet, billions of people are caught in an endless cycle of posting, reposting, commenting, liking, and reacting to a constant stream of ephemera -- a never-ending barrage of news, updates, hot takes, memes and viral videos inundating our brains with one shiny thing after an...

Anonymous Fed provides a chilling first-hand experience with the US government's recent and sudden moves to fire, lay off, or buy out numerous federal employees amid a flurry of other intensely bizarre moves -- Ben shares aspects of the now-infamous "Fork In The Road" email. Cosmic asks about favorite Magic: The Gathering cards, as well as the psychological effects of private healthcare. Curt prom...

Manchester, England is a city with an amazing history and -- according to some -- a terrible secret. For years a rumor has been spreading, first through local circles, and now across the globe. Could all the tragic deaths and disappearances near canals and waterways really be accidents, as law enforcement maintains today? Or could there be something more sinister at work... an active serial killer...

As World War II drew to a close, multiple Nazi officials saw the writing on the wall: Germany would lose the war, and members of the Nazi party would have to answer for their crimes -- if, that is, they were caught. In a desperate bid to avoid justice, various factions of the SS and other Nazi officials created secret international escape routes called ratlines. Just how big was the operation? Tun...

A Chinese Corgi Cop loses his bonus. The largest tuberculosis outbreak in US history is occurring, right now, in Kansas. A Las Vegas ice cream truck is mistaken for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- or ICE -- truck. The AI company DeepSeek sparks a massive stock selloff. Pope Frances officially dissolves Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. All this and more in today's weekly strange news segment...

As the only land bridge between South and Central America, the notorious Darién Gap is a lawless, unforgiving region through which thousands of people, every year, traverse in search of survival and escape. In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben and Matt explore the harrowing reality of making this passage. Beset with bandits, crime, corruption, cartels and danger, innoc...

Griffin explores the nature of chimera and ethics. Oz Woman prompts the guys to quote the Bible. Marvelous Marvin has questions about salutes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you look at a world map, you'll see one tiny stretch of land connecting South, Central, and North America. As the only break in the great Pan-American Highway, the Darién Gap has long been one of the world's most inhospitable places. It's rife with crime, disease, and danger. Yet, in current decades, this single geographic chokepoint has evolved into what some describe as a migration 'su...

When the guys get together to trace the story of secret societies, they aren't expecting a surprise guest to crash their podcast, revealing first-hand experience with some the most elite, secretive organizations in the United States. Wait. How did John Hodgman get in here? They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/liste...

As one U.S. President leaves and another returns to office, both administrations launch an extraordinary number of pardons and commutations, sparking extreme controversy. Studies indicate the wealth of billionaires is exploding, with at least five trillionaires expected in the next decade. Amid other controversies, Elon Musk is accused of cheating at video games. All this and more in this week's s...

During the turn of the 19th century, a man named Ambrose Small ran Ontario's theatre scene. A known womanizer, gambler and all-around jerk, Ambrose made a ton of enemies with his business dealings. As the rise of motion pictures posed an existential threat to his industry, Ambrose cashed out, sold his business -- and disappeared. More than a century after the fact, people are still asking: What ha...

How many members does the Church of Scientology actually have? What are they doing in Clearwater, Florida? Perhaps most importantly, what is the future of Scientology? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they continue their interview with Mike Rinder, creator and cohost of Scientology: Fair Game, in the second part of this classic interview segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.mac...

We've all heard of the Dark Web -- and it's often mischaracterized in popular media. But what happens when you find a site people genuinely think will help them pay for murder? In tonight's special interview, Ben and Matt join the award-winning tech researcher and author Carl Miller to learn more about his harrowing journey into the world of online crime, as he and his team race to save lives acro...

Founded in 1953 by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology describes itself as a religion that puts its adherents on a path toward complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel are joined by Mike Rinder, a former senior official of the Church and cohost of Scientology: Fair Game, for a first-hand, inside look at t...

As California continues to struggle with raging wildfires, the guys explore a proliferation of strange and disturbing allegations related to the ongoing disaster. Cloud-connected sex toys become a new, profitable target for hackers. Recently-discovered DNA evidence in the case of Jack the Ripper may lead to a new inquest -- perhaps finally solving the crimes. The FDA moves to ban certain food colo...

The Catholic Church is, by any measure, one of the largest religious forces on the planet. Throughout its long, at-times troubled history, it has weathered numerous scandals: accusations of abuse, crime, and cover-ups. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore the story of a still-unfolding case regarding an apostolic organization called Soladitium Christianae Vitae. Based in Peru, this gr...

Mr. Wiggles responds to the earlier conversation with The Shepherd on the dilemma of food and monoculture. Cabeza de Vaca prompts a conversation about stunning -- alleged -- breakthroughs in dream communication. Colby Jack Cheese inspires Ben to explore the future of gene modification: Could we, one day, give humans physical attributes once restricted to specific animals? The guys speculate on whi...

Doubtlessly familiar to any fan of exploitative true crime shows, the concept of "Stockholm Syndrome" argues that people victimized by kidnappers, hostage takers, or even trapped in abusive relationships will tend to identify with their captors. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the surprisingly hidden origin story of this concept -- as well as discovering why experts worry law enfo...