Very Special Episodes

Gene Fleming and his pet goose Andy made headlines around the world. They brought out the best in the people of Hastings, Nebraska. But amid all this attention, Andy also brought out the worst. And three decades later, Andy's legacy is still reverberating around their hometown. Note: This episode includes the murder of a beloved goose.  * Very Special thanks to Jessica Korgie for sharing her...

On August 26, 1965, LBJ issued a surprise executive order eliminating marriage as grounds for deferment from the Vietnam draft. The announcement set off a panic across the country. The problem was, nearly every state required blood tests or a waiting period — every state, that is, except Nevada. If you could somehow convince someone to marry you, get to Nevada, and get hitched before mi...

During its first 50 seasons, Saturday Night Live has welcomed legendary actors, superstar athletes, and notable politicians. But for one memorable night in 1977, Lorne Michaels turned the show over to an 80-year-old amateur.  * Special thanks to Connie Crawford for sharing her story. And thanks to the great Bill Carter for stopping by! You can read more of his work at LateNighter , or check o...

Mark Roberts is the world's most notorious streaker. He’s spent more time naked than most Greek statues. And in February 2004, he set his sights on the Super Bowl. To make streaking history, he just needs to dodge the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, SWAT teams, and 250-pound linebackers. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English Written by Jake Rossen Produced by...

Do you have a small fortune parked in your basement? Six decades ago, Hot Wheels were America’s hottest new toy. Now the children of the ‘60s are fueling a small but mighty collectors' market. Cars that originally sold for under a dollar now command five figures. Today we meet some of the hobby's most prolific figures and find out what cars they're still chasing.  VERY SPECIAL CRE...

While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it. Note: Please do not steal Baby Jesus. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English Written by...

Who's the artificial Christmas tree king? Meet Si Spiegel, a Jewish kid from New York with a remarkable, improbable Christmas story. Si's story was first brought to light by Laurie Gwen Shapiro in her 2021 New York Times feature , "He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets, and Modernized Christmas." Laurie Gwen Shapiro kindly shared her extensive notes for this episode. Her next book, The Aviato...

Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy Industrial Complex — AKA Big Parma.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday...

In 1987, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a glimmer in Stan Lee's eye, Marvel promised a different kind of blockbuster: Spider-Man and Mary Jane would get married. Not just in the comics — in front of 51,000 screaming fans at Shea Stadium. And those fans were not happy about it. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English Written by Jake Rossen Pro...

A waste management specialist unearths thousands of Atari games buried in a New Mexico landfill. As gaming historians rejoice, he plots to turn Atari’s unwanted trash into cash. Note: This week's VSE is a bonus episode from the podcast The Legend of SwordQuest, hosted by Jamie Loftus and written by Jake Rossen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1981, 11-year-old Matt DeMeritt got a call that would change his life. He wasn’t a child actor, or a performer of any kind. He was just a suburban kid enjoying his summer break. But Matt had something no other kid had — something Steven Spielberg needed to make his most ambitious movie yet.  * Note: This episode contains discussions of suicide. Please take care while listening....

In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart ducked out of a White House event and commandeered a plane. The First Lady and the first lady of aviation flew to Baltimore and back. The event was documented by journalists, and later recounted in books. But there was more to this spontaneous joyride that didn't make the papers.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason...

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. But her biggest mystery unfolded outside the pages of her books. Today Dana examines the 11 days in 1926 when the beloved author went missing, and the rollicking media circus inspired by her disappearance. On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraor...

Eugene Bullard would not let America diminish him. So he left to find a place that would let him live free — and found freedom in the skies. On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednes...

In 1834, the Three Kichis were on a routine journey to deliver rice to Tokyo. But when a typhoon interfered, they were swept out into the Pacific for 5,000 miles — and became the first Japanese people in the Pacific Northwest. But that was only a single moment in one of history’s most amazing journeys. The trio would end up going halfway around the world and back again, seeing things they never co...

In late 1998, a furry, nonsense-babbling creature arrived on the toy scene. The Furby could squeal, snore, sneeze, and … learn to speak English? Immediately upon release, thousands were backordered. Fights broke out in stores. The early internet lit up with conspiracy theories. And Furby was actually banned from the National Security Agency for its alleged potential for espionage. For today’s epis...

Greetings, VSE listeners! Dana, Zaron, and Jason will be back in October with another season. In the meantime, we wanted to share a new podcast from several members of the Very Special team. Introducing, The Legend of SwordQuest! Episode One: The Sword and the Stoned .  In the early 1980s, Atari is one of the biggest entertainment brands in the world and seeks to promote the biggest video game con...

In the first half of the 20th century, athletes weren't the only ones competing for Olympic glory. Today's episode takes us back to an era when artists, poets, and even city planners battled for medals — and the messy in-fighting that threatened to tear the art world apart.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bar fight and a stint on the lam transformed Samuel Clemens into Mark Twain — and changed the course of American literature. Settle in for Mark Twain's origin story.   * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason English Written by Zaron Burnett Produced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design: Jonathan Washington and Josh Fisher Mixing and Mastering: Baheed Frazier Story Editor: Marisa Brown...

The 1904 St. Louis Olympics featured the strangest sporting event in history. During the marathon, runners paused for naps, got chased by dogs, went apple picking, and doped with rat poison — all while being unwitting participants in a cruel scientific experiment. * Thanks for listening! Our next episode comes out Wednesday, June 26th. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason English Writte...

Mykal Riley’s name isn’t mentioned alongside the likes of Steph Curry or Larry Bird. But neither of those guys can say they hit a three-pointer that literally saved thousands of lives. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason English Written by Dave Roos Produced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier Original Musi...

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy was a French countess with a dubious claim to nobility and one brilliant idea: she was going to steal a diamond necklace from Louis XVI. After weaseling her way into court, Jeanne impersonates Marie Antoinette in a series of letters, starts a tabloid scandal, and inadvertently lights the fuse of the French Revolution. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one...

This week, we present a smattering of stories you might have missed. If you've inhaled all these, email us — veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com — and we'll recommend something else worth your time. Operation Lunar Eclipse Apple • Spotify • iHeart Boat Trip Apple • Spotify • iHeart The Pledge Apple • Spotify • iHeart Old Man on Campus Apple • Spotify • iHeart Seed Wars Apple • Spotify • iHeart We're bac...

Martha's Vineyard once was a place you could gossip with neighbors, shop for supplies, or play a cutthroat game of cards — all without saying a word. That's because it had a thriving Deaf community. Residents, Deaf and hearing alike, communicated with a unique version of sign language that predates ASL. But it's mostly forgotten today.  Today we dig into Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) and...

Right now thousands of people are on a mathematical treasure hunt from the comfort of their home offices. Our own Zaron Burnett is one of them. Here's how you can join him — and compete for $50,000. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason English Written by...