Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Épisodes

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  Exploding Mics: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk, Chapter Two 16.09.2026 40min

  In mere hours after the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10th, 2025, conspiracy theories metastasized across the internet net. Within 33 hours, authorities claimed they had captured the assassin, and began to map out a timeline of the murder. However, a lot of people weren't buying the official explanation. Add to this, multiple people who were not involved faced serious reprecussions for airing their opinions about the murder, or about Kirk himself, in the public sphere. Despite these crackdowns, the number of folks who don't believe the official story is only growing. In the second chapter of this two-part series, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore the questions surrounding Kirk's assassination, and whether there is a conspiracy afoot. If so... why?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.
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  CLASSIC: What the Heck is an NFT? 15.09.2026 1h 7min

  In tonight's Classic episode: a new player has entered the strange, often confusing world of Bitcoin -- the non-fungible token, or NFT. This digital token, which can be virtually anything, is technically unique. It's a one-of-a-kind thing existing in an entirely intangible state. Numerous artists, musicians and celebrities have sold NFTs for thousands of dollars, but critics allege this may be anything from a fad to an outright avenue for criminal enterprise. So what exactly is the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about NFTs? Is this a digital revolution, or another case of The Emperor's New Clothes?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.
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  Strange News: The DHS Traces Your Finances, No Water For You! Plus: You Can See Everything, Drone Shenanigans, and More 14.09.2026 59min

  Recent revelations confirm that the Department of Homeland Security and other parts of law enforcement are secretly accessing your financial records -- and taking you in, even if you haven't committed a crime. Plus, US courts rule people have no right to clean water. A sinister Cat in the Hat AI trend goes viral. Nathan Fielder returns with a surprise documentary. Recent government actions regarding drones and 'AI' inspire an episode in the future. Join Ben, Matt, and Noel for 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.
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  Exploding Mics: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk, Chapter One 11.09.2026 50min

  A year and a day ago, American political activist Charlie Kirk was murdered during a public debate at Utah Valley University. While his name was unfamiliar to many, he was a rising superstar in the world of U.S. conservatives. In the first chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore Kirk's origin story, his skyrocketing popularity -- and why a growing number of people don't buy the official narrative of his assassination.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.
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  CLASSIC: The Episode Where We Ruin Sunscreen 10.09.2026 1h 5min

  Since ancient times, human beings have known the sun can be dangerous. Too much exposure to its rays can burn and prematurely age the skin. In fact, the concept of sunscreen may be a non-human invention, as various types of animals coat themselves in protective layers of mud to stave off the at-times brutal effects of heat and sunshine. Fast forward to the modern era -- sunscreen is a huge industry, and people across the planet use it on a daily basis. The science seems sound. Unlike some skin care products, sunscreen actually works... however, it appears sunscreen may also have a dark side. Join Ben and Matt for more in this week's Classic episode.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.
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  The Underwater Episode 09.09.2026 1h 3min

  Even now in 2026, much of the world's oceans remain mysterious and thoroughly unexplored. Prompted by news from The Ocean Census, which has discovered thousands of new species (and hopes to discover a hundred thousand more), Ben, Matt, and Noel dive deep into the latest oceanographic research... and ask whether we'll finally find new, giant cryptids out there in the depths. Heck, the real aliens might be beneath the waves.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.
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  Strange News: Bank of America Stabbing, LARPing as an Insult, Chinese Blockbusters, Robot Dogs and More 07.09.2026 57min

  32-year-old Bank of America Vice President Erin Piacenti was fatally stabbed in New York's Time Square. LARPing has become an insult. A low-budget animated film from China becomes a surprise hit. ICE may be buying robot dogs. After a career built on oppossing immigration, far-right political activist Milo Yiannopoulos has been deported back to the United Kingdom. Tune in for 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.
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  CLASSIC: Davos & The Great Reset, Chapter II 05.09.2026 52min

  In the second part of this Classic two-part episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the Great Reset. While it's sometimes called a conspiracy theory, the allegations and speculation circling the WEF and Davos are more like a mix of multiple, at-times contradictory ideas. Listen in to learn more about the criticisms, concerns, and bizarre accusations around Davos and the Great Reset.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.
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  The Data Center Conspiracy 04.09.2026 1h 4min

  Modern civilization depends on data centers - these facilities, which can be as small as a single room or as large as gigantic, stand-alone compounds, house the servers and computers that make the digital world spin 'round. However, as Ben, Matt, and Noel discover in tonight's episode, the newest iteration of 'AI' data centers triggered a massive public outcry: they're drinking up and contaminating water. They're a profound drain on electricity networks. They're also fueling a ton of local and federal corruption. So what's the future of these data centers? Most disturbingly, what happens when all the water is gone?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.
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  Listener Mail: DARPA's SHINE Program, Elephant Intelligence, AI Emergency Lines and More 03.09.2026 53min

  An Expectant Rebel explains how DARPA's strange SHINE initiative may hack human brains to revolutionize learning -- and possibly create real-life Manchurian candidates. Luke shares a terrifying story about elephants. Shep prompts a conversation about 'AI' and emergency phone numbers. Jai Shree RĀM teases smart dust. Tune in for 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.
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  Putin's Plan To Live Forever 02.09.2026 1h 10min

  Since the dawn of civilization, the greatest rulers on the planet have tried -- and, so far, failed -- to extend their lives past the natural limits of humanity. It seems the present day is no different. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt, and Noel dive into the latest conspiracy surrounding longtime Russian President Vladimir Putin: for several years, he's been pouring billions of dollars into a vast, strange scientific effort to grow and replace organs, to build a vaccine for aging, and much much more. The question on everyone's mind is simple: What happens if he actually succeeds... and what would this mean for everyone else?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.
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  CLASSIC: Davos & The Great Reset, Chapter I 01.09.2026 46min

  In June of 2020 the World Economic Forum held its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The city was on lockdown as the world's most powerful people met to discuss something called "The Great Reset" -- the idea of rebuilding society and the global economy in the wake of COVID-19. In the first part of this Classic two-part series, the guys explore the origins of the WEF.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.
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  Strange News: A Mystery Trip to Moscow, Robots vs. Usain Bolt, Meta in Hot Water, and More 31.08.2026 1h 12min

  CIA head John Ratcliffe visited Moscow in a trip Uncle Sam wanted to keep quiet -- but why? A Chinese robot breaks Usain Bolt's 100-meter sprint world record in the recent humanoid bot games. Meta agrees to an 18 billion dollar settlement over online child safety... though the end result may not be what it seems. Also: cyborg cockroaches. Tune in for 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.
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  A CIA Heist: The Strange Saga of David J. Rush 28.08.2026 1h 2min

  Spoiler: it's kind of difficult to get a job with the CIA. This pre-eminent spy outfit has high standards, exhaustive background checks, and a mandate to do everything it can to keep foreign forces from compromising it. So how did one career CIA officer manage to steal millions in gold, currency and luxury watches from his employer -- after more or less fabricating his entire resume? In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt, and Noel dive into the bizarre saga of the mysterious David J. Rush.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.
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  Listener Mail: Sleeper Agents, Devil Corp, Automated Book Scanners, and the Gandalf Protest! 27.08.2026 1h 6min

  Ms. Squared writes in with a fascinating tale of sleeper agents and the Fort Orange Club. Vegan Bookworm weighs in on AI companies and destructive book scanning. CODENAME: Box Boy chats music. MissMegolas hips the guys to a phenomenal Gandalf-themed protest, and Psycubnaut introduces the gang to the idea of 'Devil Corp'. Tune in for 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.
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  Conspiracy in Sudan: Who's Running the Civil War? 26.08.2026 1h 10min

  It's no secret that most Americans aren't too familiar with the nation of Sudan. This ancient, beautiful land has long been beset with challenges, conflict and resource extraction. In fact, as Ben, Matt and Noel learn in tonight's episode, there's a civil war happening in Sudan right now. And while this complex web of of warfare has multiple factors, more and more observers are increasingly concerned that there's a conspiracy afoot: Could powerful foreign countries and shady corporations actually be pushing this war for their own benefit, and dooming innocent people in the process?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.
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  CLASSIC: The Devil and The Rain: The Case of Don Decker 25.08.2026 1h

  Here's the story: When Don Decker went on furlough to attend his abusive Grandfather's funeral, he experienced something extraordinary -- water fell upward from the floor of his hosts' home, he levitated, recoiled from religious symbols. Multiple witnesses and investigators, some professional, appear to agree there exists a man inxeplicably able to summon rain. In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel set out to determine the truth behind this strange, disturbing tale.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.
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  Strange News: The FBI's Crypto Heist, 7 Seconds Without Gravity, Uncle Sam Hates Wind Power, and More 24.08.2026 1h 4min

  A former FBI agent stands accused of stealing almost 1 million dollars' worth of cryptocurrency. NASA assures people that Earth did not, in fact, lose gravity for seven seconds earlier this month. Uncle Sam (or, rather, powerful corporations) aggressively conspire to scuttle wind power. Oh, and Hugh Hefner tried to warn the FBI about Jeffrey Epstein. Tune in for 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.
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  Israel's 'Secret' Nuclear Program: The Samson Option 21.08.2026 1h 7min

  With just a few missteps, nuclear weapons could end civilization as we know it. And despite their many differences, pretty much every country acknowledges this fact. Each of the nine known nuclear powers have their own laws about how to handle nukes -- but one nation stands unique amid the fold: through a practice of 'strategic ambiguity', the country of Israel has neither confirmed nor denied possession of nuclear weapons. It's the world's worst-kept open secret. And, as Ben and Matt learn in tonight's episode, this nation in particular has a terrifying last-resort policy for their nukes, which don't officially exist. So: What is the Samson Option?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.
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  Listener Mail: Water Wars and Terrorism, Elephants and Circuses, the Future of Apprenticeships, and More 20.08.2026 1h 1min

  Byron from Seattle responds to the Hidden Horror of Elephant Shows, prompting a future episode on Seaworld. The Spectacular John and Andi explore the concept of looming water wars -- and just how easy it is for terrorists to hack small-town water facilities. Emily and Mark weigh in on the past, present and future of apprenticeships. Tune in for 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.