American Scandal

After winning a national college championship with the University of Florida Gators, Aaron Hernandez realizes a lifelong dream when he's drafted into the NFL by his hometown team, the New England Patriots. Hernandez seems to have it all. But off the field, his life is taking a dark turn. Support us by supporting our sponsors. Audible: New members can try Audible free for 30 days by visiting Audible.com/AS or texting AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel, he’s your new favorite snarky talk show host. Join The Grinch (and his faithful dog Max) each week as he rants against Christmas cheer and roasts celebrity guests like chestnuts on an open fire. Starring Saturday Night Live’s James Austin Johnson as the notorious curmudgeon and broadcasting straight from Who-Ville, will The Grinch send these famous folks back down Mt. Crumpit, or will they soften his stance against Christmas and grow his heart three sizes? Grab your hot cocoa and cozy slippers and listen along to find out! Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes of 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus. Listen now: Wondery.fm/Grinch See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The sports world was shocked in 2013 when Aaron Hernandez, star tight end for the New England Patriots, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. But dating back to his days as a heavily recruited college athlete, there had been signs of ominous changes in his behavior: paranoia, failed drug tests, and run-ins with the law. And after Hernandez's death, some wondered if those changes could be attributed to a neurological condition called CTE. Support us by supporting our sponsors. BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/AS today to get 10% off your first month! Audible: New members can try Audible free for 30 days by visiting Audible.com/AS or text AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Air pollution had long been a problem in Muscatine, Iowa. For decades, a corn-processing plant had been operating in the south end of town. And according to locals, the facility’s emissions were so strong, some people gagged just by breathing in the air. But a group of residents wouldn’t accept the status quo. And with the help of public-interest attorneys, they launched a legal battle that would redefine Muscatine. In this interview, Scott Entin, one of the residents’ attorneys, tells the story of this long and difficult fight. And he explains how the group’s legal strategy could help address other environmental crises, including climate change. Support us by supporting our sponsors. Planet Money: Listen now to Planet Money by NPR wherever you get your podcasts. Meridian Grooming: Get 20% off The Trimmer by visiting meridiangrooming.com and typing in the code SCANDAL at checkout. Audible: New users can try Audible free for 30 days. Visit Audible.com/AS or text AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For centuries, all sorts of people—generals and politicians, athletes and coaches, writers and leaders—have looked to the teachings of Stoicism to help guide their lives. Each day, author and speaker Ryan Holiday brings you a new lesson about life, inspired by the thoughts and writings of great Stoic thinkers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca the Younger, as well as insightful conversations with thought leaders on how they’ve used the practice and values of stoicism in their own lives. On The Daily Stoic, you can learn how to bring the values of stoicism into your own life, one day at a time. Listen Now: ​​Wondery.fm/IFD_TDS See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Soil scientist Hugh Bennett tours the Southern Plains, studying the origins of the Dust Bowl. President Roosevelt launches an ambitious program to combat the crisis. Meridian Grooming: Visit meridiangrooming.com and type in the code SCANDAL at checkout to receive 20% off your order of new clippers. BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/AS today to get 10% off your first month! Factor: Head to factormeals.com/AS50 and use code AS50 to get 50% off! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the economy in free fall, farmers plow up the grasslands at a frenzied pace. When drought strikes the Southern Plains, residents confront a deadly ecological crisis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tristan Redman is a journalist who doesn’t believe in ghosts. But weird things happened in his teenage bedroom – weirder than normal. When, years later, he discovers subsequent occupants of his family home were haunted by the ghost of a faceless woman, he’s curious. Because by a strange coincidence, it just so happens that the house Tristan grew up in is right next door to a murder scene - where his wife’s great grandmother was killed by two gunshots to the face. Could there be a connection? Tristan decides to investigate and soon finds himself where no son-in-law should ever be: delving deep into his wife’s family history, asking questions no one wants answered. Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios present Ghost Story — a seven-part podcast series about family secrets, overwhelming coincidences and the things that come back to haunt us. Follow Ghost Story on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of Ghost Story ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus. Listen now: Wondery.fm/Ghost_Story See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

American farmers flock to the Southern Plains, lured by the promise of riches. Soon, a strange storm appears on the horizon. Support us by supporting our sponsors. Audible: New listeners can try Audible free for 30 days! Visit Audible.com/AS or text AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachel Bernstein is a cult expert, a marriage and family therapist, and the host of the podcast IndoctriNation. In this interview, Bernstein explains why some people are more susceptible to joining cults—and how the groups maintain a grip on their followers. Support us by supporting our sponsors. Planet Money: Listen to Planet Money from NPR wherever you get your podcasts! Audible: New members can try Audible free for 30 days! Visit Audible.com/AS or text AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An American congressman heads to Jonestown, to investigate claims of abuse. Jim Jones asks his followers to make their final stand. Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Jones faces investigations from the press and the San Francisco city government. With pressure mounting, Jones makes a rash decision. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A group of congregants defect from the Peoples Temple. Jim Jones begins to clamp down on dissent. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! Factor: Head to Factormeals.com/AS50 and enter the code to get 50% off your first order. Planet Money: Listen now to Planet Money from NPR wherever you get your podcasts! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After Jim Jones has a vision of the apocalypse, the Peoples Temple prepares to leave Indiana. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! Planet Money: It's Econ, for the rest of us! Listen now to Planet Money from NPR wherever you get your podcasts! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/AS today to get 10% off your first month! Audible: New members can try Audible free for 30 days! Visit Audible.com/AS or text AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Indiana, a young preacher forms his own church. The goal: to spread a radical political message. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! Audible: New members can try Audible free for 30 days. Visit Audible.com/AS or text AS to 500500. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

According to Harvard law professor Alexandra Natapoff, the use of informants has the potential to undermine core values in our criminal-justice system. Natapoff, the author of "Snitching," argues that by using informants, law enforcement transforms guilt into a negotiable commodity—one that can produce tragedies. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abscam grows into a sprawling probe of political corruption. The FBI faces accusations of entrapment. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The FBI launches an operation to catch white-collar criminals. To pull off the sting, agents partner with a lifelong conman—who offers an unusual plan. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

According to recent polls, an overwhelming number of Americans now distrust our government. In one survey, some two-thirds of respondents said they believed most elected officials are corrupt. But is their cynicism justified? In this interview, Lindsay chats with Richard Briffault, an expert in government ethics. Briffault discusses the murky definition of corruption, and the history of campaign finance. And he offers a blueprint to reform what many believe is a broken system. Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Watergate balloons into a crisis for the Nixon administration. Agnew faces growing pressure to step down. Binge all episodes early and ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/americanscandal Please support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.