Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

It's often said there's a great crime at the heart of every great fortune, but what about institutions, inventions and other noble pursuits? In today's episode, Ben and Matt take a closer look at the deeply disturbing origins of some of the world's most lauded endeavors, from the world of medicine to environmentalism, academia and more. Get an up-close look at the skeletons in the closets of these generally good things. 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.

U.S. agencies make waves with a declaration that the current President -- and all his businesses -- can never be audited. Fish take parasitic and embarrasing rides in the ... backs of manta rays. In Germany (and the United States), legacy automakers may shift to manufacturing hardware for the defense industry. All this and more in this week's strange news 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.

Over the course of their relatively short career, Sonic Youth absolutely rocked the music world, creating timeless songs and art that remain deeply relevant in the modern day. Yet as special guest Jake Brennan, the legendary creator of Disgraceland, reveals: there's a dark, disturbing story behind the cover art of their breakout, mainstream album Goo. Join Jake as he breaks down the horrific story of the serial killers informing this art... and teaching Ben, Matt and Noel why neither the band nor the artist understood it at first. 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.

Dropbear Whisperer asks for more exploration of new AI initiatives like Raveneye and BlueHalo. Hidalgo inspires the guys to explore the story of Tina Resch and (alleged) poletergiest activity. Ancient Astronaut Chick shares her bizarre experience with a US President visiting a local hotel. The Roadrunner's Call needs more people to talk about the threat of Flock cameras. 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.

With distinct food, history, and world-famous culture, Louisiana is one of the most unique states in all of the union. It also has some serious problems. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the ongoing -- terrifyingly real -- conspiracy of Louisiana's Cancer Alley. 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.

In the second part of this Classic series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into another aspect of the global livestock industry: the lives of the animals and humans involved. Learn more about the hidden reality of life for livestock--and how it could eventually impact the entire world, giving rise to superbugs. 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.

The world follows the bizarre saga of a hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius. Is a new pandemic on the way? A small-town mayor in Georgia attempts to fire the entire police force. The ongoing data center controversy. All this and more in this week's strange news 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.

It’s the unlikeliest of criminal partnerships: a devout polygamist from an insular Utah sect joining forces with a shadowy Armenian tycoon from LA. The result - a billion dollar fraud conspiracy. In Kingdom of Fraud, investigative reporter Michele McPhee traces the origins of the extraordinary alliance between Jacob Kingston and Levon Termendzhyan. Together, the two men trigger the largest tax investigation in American history and weave around themselves a web of dirty cops, influential political relationships and transnational money laundering. All this is set against the backdrop of Jacob Kingston’s clan – The Order. A powerful and secretive polygamist organization in Salt Lake City. To whom Jacob is desperate to prove his worth. Kingdom of Fraud is produced by Novel for iHeart Podcasts. Listen here and subscribe to Kingdom of Fraud on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! 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.

Like so many wealthy people, disgraced financier and child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein owned multiple properties across the Western world (spoiler, the day before his final arrest, Epstein tried to buy an obscure palace in Morocco). In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore an unclean place often ignored in the saga. For some reason, one of the world's most successful child abusers purchased a sprawling ranch in the middle of nowhere: a place called Zorro Ranch, in the high desert of central New Mexico. Tune into help the guys figure out the ongoing investigation. 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.

OrpheusFox hips the guys to a conspiratorial jailbreak... which may have been orchestrated by the CIA. Mr. P. prompts an exploration of mysterious, high-altitude airships. Sea Bat explores the often-buried story of the Port Chicago disaster. 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.

Have you ever used a Tarot deck? Heck, have you designed your own? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange history of the Tarot, from its origin as a card game for wealthy Italians to its present, multivariate state as anything from a fun diversion to a genuine tool of 'divination'. Spoiler, Conspiracy Realists: the guys are pretty convinced they've figured out why the Tarot is so popular -- and how it actually works. 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.

The global livestock industry employs millions of people in one way or another -- meat is a big business, and business is booming. In communities across the planet meat is often seen as a status symbol, a way to impress friends and announce one's own success -- but how much should meat actually cost? Critics argue every piece of meat, from a fast-food burger to high-end steak and everything in between, is actually riddled with hidden costs that will eventually be paid by everyone, whether or not they personally eat meat. Join Ben and Matt to learn more secrets of the livestock industry in the first chapter of this Classic series. 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.

In this week's strange news segment: you can officially enter your sperm in an international race! The legendary, divisive Ted Turner is dead, as is Spirit Airlines. Media freedom is trouble. The Supreme Court has again turned on the US public, gutting the Voting Rights Act and allowing for new levels of Suessian gerrymandering -- and endangering your right to actually vote. Tune in for all this and more. 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.

In an increasingly secular world, people often look back on the past with a mixture of amusement and disdain: "Why," they ask, "would our ancestors really believe in fanciful things like demons, Gods, spirits and angels?" Yet in tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel discover one strange trend that calls these assumptions into question: Why did so many ancient cultures across the world worship snakes, or reptilian-human hybrids? Is there a grain of fact to the legends of Snake Gods? What exactly is a Nāga? 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.

In this week's listener mail segment: Poe inspires a conversation about the End of Ownership. Chewy Black Heart asks the guys for more about missing scientists. Nikki explores the Bell Witch Cave. 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.

When the Ammons family moved to their new home in Gary, Indiana, they weren't sure what to expect. Of course, they anticipated all the usual hassles of relocation -- but they weren't expecting demons. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bizarre, tragic saga of a family beset by what they genuinely seemed to feel was demonic possession. The media, the clergy, and even members of law enforcement agreed with them. So: What actually happened? 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.

On July 17, 1944, over 300 people died in a massive explosion. These weren't soldiers fighting overseas -- they were sailors and civilians near the pier, where hurried loading operations inevitably went wrong. To this day, no one knows what triggered the explosion -- but, in a terrible way, this was only the beginning of the story. 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.

In this week's strange news segment: Ben and Matt explore a billionaire's mission to save Pablo Escobar's Hippos. Also, western oil profits skyrocket as the conflict in Iran continues, triggering drama in OPEC. But Ku-wait one second... the FBI investigated Bigfoot? What happened at the White House? Also, an epidemic of disappearing Chinese scientists. Tune in to learn more. 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.

For most of modern history, the concept of ownership was pretty simple. You paid for something, either all at once or over time, and boom: you owned it. However, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in today's episode, powerful forces are conspiring to push consumers away from owning stuff, and into a world of constant, unending subscriptions. "You will own nothing," says the World Economic Forum, "and you will be happy." So what does this mean for the future? How long do we have before we live in a world without ownership? 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.

In this week's listener mail segment: Ben, Matt and Noel respond to an anonymous call about disappearing scientists and military officials. PCC38Lightning hips the guys to trucking and liberty. J-Ill explains the newer issues with environmental contamination in Coldwater Creek. All this and more -- most importantly, join the show: hit us up at conspiracy@iheartmedia.com. 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.