Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Fan of the show Uncle Xi just threw a big party to commemorate the end of World War II. In this week's strange news segment, the guys explore the FOMO of the world's second-strangest science fair. 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.

People have attempted to communicate with other animals since before the dawn of recorded history. Today, almost every pet owner feels they have deep, communicative bonds with their pets -- but what about wild animals? In the second chapter of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel discover how 'AI' may soon allow humans to speak directly with multiple other organisms. (We also absolutely wrecked our search history with phrases like "sperm whale phonetic alphabet.") 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 Messenger prompts a conversation on video games and divinity. Oz Woman replies to the earlier series on the Anunnaki. Following up on the earlier news about China's artificial womb, PoodleCrab and others walk through the positive -- and negative -- implications. A brief homily on Cracker Barrel. 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.

Do you have a bond with a household pet? Do they understand what you say to them -- and, if so, how much? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deep into a question that's mystified humanity since the dawn of history: Can we really talk to non-human animals? Not at or to... but with? Tune in to learn how science may finally crack the code and turn us into real-life Doctor Doolittles. 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.

Propaganda has always been a powerful tool, and humanity's recent technological innovations have only amplified its reach. Long-standing laws in the US were meant to prevent US propaganda for foreign audiences from reaching the domestic population, but over time those laws have been eroded... and, as it turns out, Uncle Sam was secretly pushing propaganda on the people for years beforehand. Tune in to learn more about Operation Mockingbird. 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.

US Nationals captured attempting an info war to destablize Greenland. A lawsuit emerges on an airline. A cardboard cartel is in play and, it appears, actively conspiring against you. All this -- plus an orgy dome -- 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.

Oh, praise Enlil! This is our final -- for now -- episode on the concept of the Anunnaki. 'Ben,' Matt, and Noel explore the arguments for 'ancient aliens,' while also discovering real-life, current astronomical information that just might prove a princely seed of truth to all those tall tales of old. 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.

Phlounder responds to Ben's earlier point about Friday news stories. A friendly Chef also named Ben prompts a conversation between Matt and Noel about tricorders. Dan B answers questions about Mango the Parrot with, first-hand experience from Blackpool. Also Cryptid Hunters. 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.

Let's be honest, oh mortals: history proves time and time again that one civilization's angels may become another civilization's demons. In Chapter Two of this three-part series on the Anunnaki, "Ben," Matt, and Noel explore the cultural and spiritual evolution of mysterious entities blamed for everything from the original discovery of fire to the provenance of original sin. 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.

As anyone who's worked in a kitchen or the hospitality industry can readily attest, there's an entirely different world behind the doors of every kitchen, a world that most diners and restaurant patrons never see. Join the guys as they sit down with world famous chefs Hugh Acheson and Richard Blais to learn more about what really happens behind the scenes in restaurants and cooking shows, as well as how the industry has been been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 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.

Chinese scientists construct a robot capable of carrying a human fetus to term -- will the government allow this in the public sphere? A California man finds his recreational Cessna repeatedly stolen. Dictionary boffins are criticized for canonizing recent phrases and words. 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.

Law & Order: Criminal Justice System is back with Season Two, turning its focus to a threat that hides in plain sight, harder to predict and even harder to stop: terrorism. Hear the real stories from those who lived it, worked it, and risked everything to confront it. Listen here and subscribe to Law & Order: Criminal Justice System S2 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.

How did the humble primates learn the astonishing arts of agriculture, taming fire, animal husbandry and the sorcery of the written word? If you travel to ancient Mesopotamia, you'll see mysterious references to powerful non-human entities called the "Anunnaki." In the first Chapter of this three-part series, "Ben," Matt and Noel explore the proven historical references to these entities throughout ancient civilization— and ask whether there's any chance a grain of truth informed these tales of old. (Spoiler, we are super excited about this, and hope you tune in.) 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.

Mr. Delay reaches out with a breakdown of trauma medicine guidelines. An anonymous caller details the experience of a military friend who fears they may be turned against the American public. Multiple Conspiracy Realists write in to discuss the unfolding Epstein saga -- especially the idea that powerful forces may be 'breadcrumbing' new information in an effort to control the overall narrative and stymy investigation. 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.

Despite concerted efforts of extremely powerful people, the conspiracies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein refuse to disappear from the news. In chapter two of the 2025 Epstein update, Ben, Matt and Noel dive deeper into the bizarre statements of politicians and business tycoons associated with Epstein's international sex crimes, catch up with the latest disturbing developments... and ask what will ultimately happen to Epstein's only accomplice currently imprisoned: the disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell. 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 no secret that modern automobiles are incredibly convenient. Ben, Matt and Noel are big fans. Cars these days are almost like rolling computers, chock-full of GPS capabilities, infotainment systems, back-up cameras, security systems connected to the cloud and so on. But there's a potential dark side to all this convenience, and some oberservers are becoming increasingly concerned about what corporations and governments may do with this technology over the long term. In this oddly prescient Classic episode, the guys ask: Are we entering a world where Big Brother can brick your car the same way some tech companies can brick your gadgets? 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.

Stoolpigeon or upstanding avian? A parrot in the UK helps bust a drug ring. A massive Labubu heist prompts a conversation about artificial scarcity. Speeding fines may soon be based on an offender's financial status, rather than a flat fee. A scientist argues he's solved the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle -- 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.

More than six years after the disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein died in prison, unanswered questions remain. Who else was involved? Is there a list of known accomplices who participated in the abuse of children? In the first part of this two-part series, the gang investigates the disturbing, lingering questions surrounding the ongoing Epstein scandal -- as well as new revelations that only recently came to light. 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.

Korean pop music, or K-pop, originated in South Korea but has become a powerful, global phenomenon. This multi-billion dollar industry manufacturers scores of pitch-perfect idols and groups, performers who become lead trendsetters in the world of fashion, dance, music and more. Yet there's a dark side to this fame, and a peek behind the curtain reveals a brutal, dangerous world of cut-throat competition, financial corruption and abuse. Tune in to learn about the dark side of K-Pop. 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 makes a person "cool"? We don't mean physical temperature -- instead, we're asking about the swag, the aura, the almost indescribable vibe with a thousand names across time and culture. For most of human history, the concept of what we call "cool" has been a mystery -- perhaps, that is, until now. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the strange story of how science may have finally cracked the code on coolness. Could you use this knowledge to make yourself cooler? More importantly... is it cool to want to? 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.