Things I Learned Last Night

Operation Trojan Shield was a joint effort by law enforcement agencies from multiple nations. It targeted organized crime networks using encrypted communication devices like Anon phones. These devices promised secrecy but unknowingly carried a backdoor, allowing authorities to monitor criminal activities in real time. Between 2018 and 2021, law enforcement gathered 27 million messages detailing cr...

Zoos are places where animals are carefully contained, but sometimes, a star breaks all the rules. In the 1980s, the San Diego Zoo was home to an orangutan like no other. His name was Ken Allen, and he wasn't just any orangutan—he was an escape artist, a folk hero, and a lovable mischief-maker. Through his antics, Ken Allen captured hearts and taught zookeepers the true meaning of resourcefulness....

The Berners Street Hoax happened in 1810 in London. It all started as a bet between two friends. One claimed he could make everyone in the city talk about one house on Berners Street. To win, he sent out fake invitations and requests to dozens of people. On the set day, chaos took over Berners Street. Tradespeople arrived with deliveries no one had ordered. Doctors and priests came for emergencies...

Six experienced hikers set out to explore the Khamar Daban mountains. 23-year-old Lyudmila Korovina, a seasoned guide, led them. The group was excited to enjoy the breathtaking views and test their skills. However, their adventure took a deadly turn. While on the trail, something bizarre occurred. Witness accounts suggest the hikers began acting strangely. Some were seen convulsing and collapsing....

What would you do if your dentist wore a necklace made of human teeth? Sounds wild, right? This was the reality for Painless Parker, a dentist unlike any other in history. Parker’s story blends dental work, circus acts, and a love for showmanship that made him famous (and infamous) during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Painless Parker, originally named Edgar R. Parker, was born in 1872 in New Bru...

Ever heard of Rent a Hitman or rentahitman.com? At first glance, it sounds like a shady, illegal website straight out of a crime drama. But what if I told you it's actually a bizarre mix of satire, internet history, and law enforcement brilliance? Rentahitman.com began in 2005 as a legitimate IT services site founded by a man named Bob Ines. The clever name was a play on words: “hit” referred to w...

Bed Bath & Beyond, once a retail giant, found itself struggling to compete in a changing retail landscape. While competitors like Target and Walmart adapted to the e-commerce boom, Bed Bath & Beyond lagged. Over-expansion, debt, and the pandemic only worsened its troubles. By the early 2020s, its stock price had plummeted, and the company was on the brink of collapse. Enter Ryan Cohen, a well-know...

In recent years, few stories have captivated the public's attention like the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of Theranos and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes. The ambitious young entrepreneur once claimed to revolutionize medical testing, but her dream turned into a cautionary tale of deception and hubris. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://tilln.com/support Throughout history, tales of advanced technology and celestial connections have captivated us. Among the most intriguing are the legends surrounding the Iraqi stargates. These ancient portals said to connect distant realms or civilizations, have sparked both wonder and controversy. But what is the truth behind thes...

\Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast In the early 2000s, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” was among the most popular quiz shows worldwide. The show was thrilling, with contestants competing to answer questions and win a million pounds. But behind the scenes, one episode captured public attention for a different reason — a cheating scandal....

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast History can sometimes be tricky to unravel. One example is the story of Alan MacMasters, who was often named the inventor of the electric toaster. But did he really invent it, or is it a case of circular reporting? Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myer...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast There has been growing concern over unusual symptoms experienced by U.S. diplomats and government workers abroad in recent years. Termed Havana Syndrome, these symptoms, often linked to possible Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), are a mystery that researchers and experts are actively trying to solve. Th...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Did you know there was a man known as the Duck Man? He helped create some of the most famous Donald Duck comics. This man's name is Carl Barks. Let's dive into his story and how he became known as the Duck Man. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers an...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast The story of Ken McElroy stands out as one of the most mysterious unsolved crimes in the United States. His name is forever linked with the small town of Skidmore, Missouri. This crime shocked the nation, leaving many to wonder how something so significant could happen in broad daylight, with so many wit...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Have you ever wondered what would happen if kids had to live on their own without any adult supervision? Two documentaries, Boys Alone and Girls Alone, show us exactly that. These shows provide a unique glimpse into how children react when given the freedom to manage a household and their behavior. Thing...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast There’s a quiet battle happening right now, and it’s about protecting our animals and lands. This fight is against a dangerous pest known as the screwworm. It’s not your everyday worm. These creatures can cause a lot of harm, especially to livestock. Thankfully, there’s a new way to fight back—using the...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Have you ever wondered what secrets the Grand Canyon might hold? Beyond its breathtaking views and enormous cliffs are stories of hidden caves, ancient civilizations, and even mysterious cover-ups. One such tale is about G.E. Kincaid, an amateur archaeologist who claimed to have made an extraordinary dis...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Roar is not your typical movie. It wasn't made with trained animal actors. Instead, the filmmakers used real, wild animals like lions, tigers, and elephants. The cast and crew worked with these animals for eleven years! That's right—eleven years of living and filming with untrained wild animals. The movi...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Imagine living in a small apartment for almost a year without clothes, food, or a way to escape. This was the reality for Nasubi, a contestant on a Japanese game show. Nasubi, whose real name is Tomoaki Hamatsu, became an unexpected celebrity when he was chosen to participate in a unique and challenging...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Imagine being stuck in space while your country falls apart. This happened to Sergei Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, during one of the most dramatic times in history. This episode will take you through his incredible journey and how he became known as "the last Soviet." We'll also look at how this compare...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast The story of Nikita Russian is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind ambition and deception. It shows how far someone can go when they are driven by dreams but lack the resources and support to make them a reality. The contestants who were scammed by Nikita learned a hard lesson, but they also gai...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast Ed Thorp is a name you should know. He is a math genius who changed the world of gambling and investing. Through his love for numbers, he discovered ways to win at Blackjack and Roulette. But Ed Thorp didn't stop there. He also became a big name in the world of finance, making a lot of money with his sma...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast The Secret Space Program conspiracy theory is certainly one of the more outlandish ones out there. At its core, it involves the idea that a secret human civilization and space program has operated mostly in secret since the late 1800s. This all traces back to a fictional novel written under a pseudonym b...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast In the 1980s, Michael Larson became an overnight celebrity when he appeared on the game show Press Your Luck and set the record for the biggest single-day winnings in game show history. Larson, an ice cream truck driver from Ohio, didn't become the king of Press Your Luck by chance. He had carefully stud...

Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/tillnpodcast In the late 1950s, a political action group called the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals (SINA) was formed to address the grave issue of animals walking around in their natural, nude state. SINA's founder, G. Clifford Prout Jr., believed this indecency corrupts children and society. Prout and SINA p...