Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Episodes

• The Return of Conscription 17.07.2026 1h 6m

  On six separate occasions during its relatively short history, the United States has practiced conscription: forcing certain members of the public to join the military. In the States, we often just refer to this as 'the draft'. Ever since the close of the Vietnam War, Uncle Sam's fighting forces have been entirely voluntary... yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, that may change -- and sooner than we'd all like to admit.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.
• Listener Mail: Inside the Pentagon, Child Abuse in Ohio, the Guys' New Favorite Politician (LONG LIVE COUNT BINFACE!), and More 16.07.2026 53m

  Hannah shares their experience exploring the inner workings of the Pentagon. Hidalgo prompts a conversation about the terrifying child abuse case unfolding in Vinton, Ohio. CominginhotfromtheUnited Kingdom, K introduces the guys to a darkly hilarious political scandal... and their new favorite MP candidate, Binface. Join Ben, Matt Noel 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.
• Wrestling is Full of Conspiracies 15.07.2026 52m

  Fellow Conspiracy Realists: Ben, Matt, and Noel love pro wrestling. It occupies a distinct niche in American culture from Canada to Mexico -- and it's a huge business. However, as the guys learn in tonight's episode, this multi-billion dollar industry is also riddled with accusations of corruption, crime, and conspiracy.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.
• CLASSIC: What is Adrenochrome? 14.07.2026 1h 10m

  In this week's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel tackle Adrenochrome: it's a real substance, and one sold openly online to labs with the proper paperwork. It's also mentioned in numerous works of literature, from Huxley's "The Doors of Perception" to Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and more. But what exactly is it? Why do people believe it's a sinister, evil drug used by hopelessly addicted elites in the worlds of finance, politics and entertainment? 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.
• Strange News: Sun Valley's Billionaire Summer Camp, Daredevils Scale Skyscrapers, an Iranian Funeral, PFAs, and We Just Created Synthetic Life 13.07.2026 1h 9m

  Ben, Matt and Noel learn about the mysterious, secret 'billionaire summer camp' in Sun Valley Idaho (oh, to be in the 'room where it happens!'). A daredevil couple gets in hot water for scaling the Empire State Building. Explosive diarrhea takes over Michigan. An Iranian funeral. Uncle Sam says PFAs are fine. Oh, and for better or worse, we just created synthetic life. 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.
• Where are the Next Pandemics? 10.07.2026 1h 13m

  Before the breakout of COVID-19, Ben, Matt and Noel predicted a pandemic was on the way. Fast forward to 2026, and many of the same experts the world earlier ignored are raising new alarms: across the world, multiple infections may break through the old checks and balances of evolution to create new pandemics. Some of these could be far deadlier than COVID... and humanity is thoroughly unprepared for a new disaster. 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.
• Listener Mail: How News Works, IGU Returns, Cooking Salamander Tacos, and More 09.07.2026 52m

  In this week's listener mail segment: Colin inspires a conversation about the nature of understanding the news -- and why 'triangulating' conflicting news sources remains crucial. Newly-hired to Illumination Global, Unlimited, Calamatiy Chris weighs in with some work notes. Dory plays ShotSpotter. A Certain Chef walks through the science of cooking tacos with salamanders. In response to the guys' two-chapter on series on Flock, W.M. Bacon hips fellow Conspiracy Realists to a show called "Person of Interest".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.
• CLASSIC: The Philadelphia Experiment 08.07.2026 1h 5m

  Here's the story: In October of 1943, hundreds of people watched a top secret experiment go horribly wrong. The US Navy, attempting to create a kind of invisibility cloak for ships, accidentally transported the USS Eldridge through time and space, with disastrous consequences for the crew. It's a thrilling tale, but how much of it is true? Tune in as the guys explore the origin of this bizarre legend (and bust some myths about cream cheese along the way) 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.
• What is Mirror Life? 08.07.2026 1h 4m

  Earth is teeming with life, and despite these billions of organisms seeming so different -- it turns out that pretty much all life has surprising commonalities science still hasn't figure out. All our molecules follow the same basic 'directions'. And, recently, experts realized it may be possible to 'flip' these directions, and create cells with opposite or mirrored directions. This could provide massive medicinal and research benefits -- yet, as Ben, Matt and Noel learn in tonight's episode, those same experts are increasingly concerned that creating mirror life could also end the world.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.
• Strange News: Europe's Murderous Heat Wave, Playstation Judas, Poop Crimes, Avi Loeb, Flying Saucers, 'Mexican Batman' and More 06.07.2026 1h 5m

  In this week's strange news segment: thousands die in the ongoing European heat wave. Sony removes films people already paid for without a refund. Poop crimes abound! Astrophysicist Avi Loeb heads the White House's new UFO council. Tech companies continue the 'AI' debacle, and the world collectively wonders: "Who is 'Mexican Batman'?" 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.
• V32: The Mysterious New Persian Spy Radio 03.07.2026 58m

  Numbers stations' are hard-core spy stuff, dating all the way back to the first World War. The gist: you can create a radio station that broadcasts encoded messages to assets. Anyone can tune in and hear the full audio -- yet only listeners with a specific, disposable guide can decipher the actual contents. For a long time, this was just another curiosity of conflicts past. Yet as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, numbers stations remain not just active -- but expanding. Join the guys as they attempt to get to the bottom of the newest station on the block: V32, an off-books numbers station broadcasting in Farsi... and not based in Iran.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.
• Listener Mail: Worship vs. Belief, Guardrails and Flock, The U.S.S. Liberty Cover-up, and More 02.07.2026 1h 6m

  In this week's listener mail segment: one of the Bills in Colorado (Ben thinks there are at least twelve) prompts a conversation about the nature of worship vs. belief. Salamander Taco details a tragic saga of Steve Eimers's righteous one-man mission to fight against improperly-installed guardrails. PCC38Lightning thanks Ben, Matt and Noel for their upcoming episode on the U.S.S. Liberty -- while also warning that making this future episode may get them in hot water. Tune in for all this and more. Spoiler: stay tuned for tomorrow's episode on Farsi Number Stations.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 Leaving the US Works 01.07.2026 56m

  At some point in their lives, most U.S. residents have at least daydreamed of moving to another country. And it seems that every time one politician or another wins an election, some group of Americans says they're finally going to take the leap. With growing chaos at home and abroad, more and more people in the U.S. may actually move. But how does it actually work? Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they get to the bottom of leaving the United States.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.
• CLASSIC: Mystery, Mayhem and Nukes: The Story of the Marshall Islands 30.06.2026 59m

  The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a relatively tiny, remote place -- it's about halfway between Hawaii and Australia, with nothing but ocean on the horizon. And, for decades, this nation has been home to a terrifying secret. As the world entered the atomic age, the United States realized it needed a place to test its new weaponry, and to store the waste these nuclear experiments left behind. Tune in to learn more about US nuclear experiments in the Marshall Islands, and how the consequences of this conspiracy remain 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.
• Strange News: The World's Officially Loudest Guy Ever, Ranch Dressing and the TSA, Data Centers, Billionaires are Lying to You 29.06.2026 1h 2m

  In this week's Strange News segment: a Canberra resident gets a world record for being the loudest guy ever. A retelling of previous conversations about non-US people encountering a condiment known as ranch. Data centers and detainment centers encounter public backlash. Write to Ben, Matt, and Noel, and remember: your response to a weekly segement may inform an actual Episode in the future.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 As Currency: The Murky World of 'Prisoner Exchange' 26.06.2026 1h 3m

  Throughout history, war has continually resulted in hostages -- these could be soldiers, spies, or civilians. And, even in the heat of conflict, opposing forces will often agree to exchange prisoners through various agreements. On paper, it sounds downright civilized. However, as Ben and Matt discover in tonight's episode, that's often not the case. Tune in to learn more about the controversy and conspiracy surrounding 'prisoner swaps'.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.
• CLASSIC: What is the Latitude Society? 25.06.2026 1h 2m

  For many, the story began with the receipt of a mysterious card, which led them to a nondescript address in San Francisco. From there, new members of the Latitude Society found themselves living through a complex, enigmatic adventure in a secret society somewhere between a philosophical group, a city-wide theme park and a real-life conspiracy. But what exactly is The Latitude Society? What are its real origins, and where are the members today?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 Flock Episode, Chapter Two: Expansion, Activism, Orwell and the Future 24.06.2026 57m

  How much personal privacy would you be willing to sacrifice for the Greater Good of stopping crime? The breakout surveillance company Flock Safety claims their nationally-intergated monitoring network can eventually stop all crime. And investors are listening. In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt and Noel fly further into the strange saga of Flock -- and ask whether there's an ulterior motive at play.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.
• CLASSIC: Reddit vs. Wall Street: Peasants invade the casino? 23.06.2026 56m

  How did a handful of otherwise unremarkable stocks become some of the most closely watched things on Wall Street? In today's episode, the guys explore the strange series of events that led to massive price fluctuations in GameStop and more. The media portrayed this as the 'little guys' -- amateur traders -- banding together to take revenge on heartless hedge funds. But how much of this is true? What's the real conspiracy, exactly? 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.
• Strange News: Animal Spies in China! AI Goes Rogue, Petey Thiel's Secret Network Exposed, and More 22.06.2026 1h 3m

  In this week's strange news segment: after a quick update on the cartoonish Iran-US negotiations (which we're sure will age well), Ben, Matt and Noel explore China's explosive accusations that other nations are weaponizing animals like sea turtles and fish for spying. AI goes increasingly rogue. Peter Thiel's secretive ‘Dialog’ society gets hacked. Stay tuned for the very end of this weekly segment to get a sneak preview of the actual episodes coming up in the near future.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.