J. Edgar Hoover was a legendarily paranoid man -- but what if there was a reason for his intense, myopic obsession with surveillance and privacy? How about this: Did you ever wonder why the guys have done so many episodes about satellites and space fungus recentlly? In tonight's special episode, the guys present an episode from The Passage, a new podcast that takes you on a ride into the land of the dead, traveling with the Ferryman as he collects America’s most illustrious spirits and...

Multiple Conspiracy Realists share their personal experiences with polio. PoodleCrab responds to the ongoing conversation about potassium. Concerned Citizen asks for more information about the Winchester Dam. 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 heard someone described as going "beserk"? Turns out there's a ton of strange history behind this phrase. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the bizarre phenomenon of berserkers, the elite Viking fighting force that remains shrouded in myth and controversy in the modern day. 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 recent film Above Majestic is look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", an alleged, secret group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology. Join the guys as they interview the creator of the film, David Wilcock, about his theories, his beliefs, and the experiences that inspired him to create the film in this classic episode. They don't want you to read our book.:...

Where should you park a helicopter? The conversation over the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow continues. London economists realize wealth inequality is booming, and someone snipped those undersea cables the guys warned about earlier. 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.

Every day, across the planet, blood and plasma donations save human lives. Yet as with virtually all medical innovations, the story of blood donation has a dark side. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into the disturbing tale of a conspiracy spanning decades -- how an Arkansas prison profited from selling tainted inmate blood across the world, infecting an unknown number of people with insidious diseases. Yet there's a protagonist to this twisted narrative: it's also the story...

Papa Caps becomes the official STDWYTK hot sauce hook-up. Dewy continues the exploration of corruption in Illinois. Fellow Faygo fan Arborious explains magnets. ANUSTART responds to multiple topics, including DEFCON, the funeral industry, human trafficking and foreign real estate purchases. Lawyer Gzolo hips the gang to new legislation banning these purchases in Pennsylvania. Donatello makes an excellent point about light bulbs. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They...

Founded as an order of warrior monks protecting Christian pilgrims on their journey to the Holy Land, he Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon -- or Knights Templar -- were only around for a few centuries, but cast a long shadow in the world of conspiracy. Did they really start the concept of banking? Why did they disappear? Were any of the strange rumors about the grail, devil worship, or magic true? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the secret history of the...

Nestlé is the world's largest food and beverage company, and it's no surprise that an entity this large would, at some point over the decades, become embroiled in a controversy or two. However, according to critics and numerous advocacy groups, Nestlé has a dark side that goes far beyond the occasional ethical misstep. Join the guys and special guest Lauren Vogelbaum, host of Savor, as they unravel the story of Nestlé's cover-ups and conspiracies. They don't want you to read our book.:...

A Yakuza operative gets pinched for smuggling nuclear material. Mixtape legends and fast food empire Wendy's claims they are 'definitely not' doing surge pricing -- and the public remains skeptical. Alex Jones struggles with the recent court ruling. Statements from Memphis gang leaders inspire a conversation about the military. 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...

For much of human history, polio was absolutely terrifying. People weren't sure how it spread, they had no idea how to treat it, and they realized anyone could be infected. This changed with the emergence of polio vaccination, which was considered, for the most part, a massive success. But the rush to get this treatment finalized and out to the public led to one of the worst vaccine disasters in human history: investigators quickly learned the polio vaccine was actually giving people polio....

Iron Man hips the guys to a bizarre story about potassium. Sgt. Will presents a fascinating theory about nuclear weapons and "aliens." The Cold War Hammer prompts a discussion of possible Russian ASAT weapons. Big Shucks sends news of new drugs that could help cats and dogs live much longer. Ben ponders what might amaze time travelers. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.:...

Whil space may look pretty empty to the unaided eye, make no mistake: Earth's orbit is filled with fascinating -- sometimes creepy -- things. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the rise of spy satellites, the danger of nukes in space, and much 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.

What should people be allowed to say online? What sort of control should states or private entities have over images, concepts, speeches and other content created by individuals, groups or the public? Join the guys as they explore the controversial phenomenon of censorship, from moments where it's arguably necessary to times where censorship functions as conspiracy or cover-up -- ultimately asking how censorship works in the future. They don't want you to read our book.:...

Orbital decay as satellites fail. A stingray practices parthenogenesis as China and Iran expand claims to Antarctica. 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.

The scenic Colonial Parkway stretches 23 miles across part of Virginia, linking Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. This road has been purposely shielfed from commercial development, and it's full of pull-offs making it the perfect lovers' lane. And, from 1986 to 1989, it became a prime hunting ground for one of the state's most notorious serial killers. Tune in to learn more about the still-unsolved case of the Colonial Parkway Murders. They don't want you to read our book.:...

Matthais calls to ask about why some streetlights are turning purple. Kyle writes in with a question about a possible fast food conspiracy to short people on condiments. Curious in Seattle prompts a disturbing exploration of the death of federal prosecutor Thomas Wales, who appears to have been murdered by a professional assassin. Ben, Matt and Noel decide to dive into the case in a future episode. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.:...

Hi, STDWYTK fans! Listen to Paper Ghosts Season 4 hosted by M. William Phelps! It’s the dead of summer, 1989, in the heart of the Ozarks. An 18-year-old woman goes missing from Bella Vista, Arkansas. As the search moves forward, several suspects emerge. Then… a body is found not far from the Missouri border, and a homicide investigation begins. Tune in to this top-tier true crime story, but don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer to decide for yourself!   Show Description:...

Humans are phenomenally inventive creatures -- problem is, some of their inventions may end up disrupting the status quo. In fact, history is riddled with mysterious deaths of inventors and scientists -- along with countless allegations of conspiracy. How many of these strange stories could be true? Tune in for the second installment of this ongoing series: Mysterious Inventors. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See...

From the secret signs of homeless communities to Toynbee tiles, the world of advertisement and even the US dollar, the world is chock-full of hidden signs, languages and symbols. Recently, the guys hit the road, traveling across the northeast and exploring these secret images on their first live tour. Tune in to learn more about the strange world of hobo code, the weird images on US currency and the murky origins of the Federal Reserve. They don't want you to read our book.:...

A new study shows wolves in Chernobyl have developed resistance to cancer. A scammer tries to refinance house behind owner’s back, lawyer saves the day. Shocking new research reveals human beings are host to a previously-unknown, bizarre collection of life forms called "obelisks" -- and no one knows what they're doing. 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...

How do human civilization decide who owns what? It's a devilish, dangerous, and disturbing question absolutely riddled with conspiracy. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the concept of "terra nullius" -- the idea that, if you have the right flag and a solid army, you can just rock up to any place on Earth and call dibs. Tune in to learn how this conspiratorial concept came to be, why it's sometimes hilarious, and why it's mostly evil. Perhaps most importantly: What does "terra...

An anonymous listener shares the unpleasant consequences of Ben, Matt and Noel's prank from years ago. Scurvy Earl prompts a renewed, long-running conversation about the broken healthcare system. Rob asks for more information about Operation Overmatch. Emma H weirds Ben out with compliments, and JBB1351 responds with key information about cartels and US military ordnance. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.:...

The United States National Parks system is a stunning system of over 85 million acres of natural wonders, attracting millions of visitors from across the world every single year. Within the parks, you can find a cavalcade of unique animals, plants and monuments. But there's a stranger side to all this wilderness: according to centuries worth of legends, the parks are also home to ghosts. Join Ben, Matt and Noel to learn more. They don't want you to read our book.:...

Stubborn, determined and tenancious, Gary Webb was the quintessential investigative journalist. In his work for a newspaper called The Mercury News, Gary explored the relationship between right-wing revolutionary Contras in Nicaragua, the crack cocaine epidemic in the United States, and the actions of the Central Intelligence Agency. While the series was published, multiple mainstream newspapers joined together to write editorials criticizing him, and ultimately his own editors turned on him,...