Modern Day Apocrypha

It's easy to be lulled into thinking that human slavery has not afflicted the world for a century or more. But the cruel reality is that some countries have only abolished slavery as recently as 2007. And as with most things, legality does not eliminate the demand as demonstrated by the surprisingly robust network of underground human trafficking operations. 

It's easy to be lulled into thinking that human slavery has not afflicted the world for a century or more. But the cruel reality is that some countries have only abolished slavery as recently as 2007. And as with most things, legality does not eliminate the demand as demonstrated by the surprisingly robust network of underground human trafficking operations. 

Dude! This happened to me before... or maybe that was deja vu? What even is this phenomenon that everyone seems to experience? Better yet, when is the last time YOU experienced it? The answer might just depend on your age.

It's everywhere: "Made in China." And as the global economy recovers from Covid's impact on production, we (especially Americans) seem more eager to support goods made in America than ever before. But supporting domestic manufacturing isn't as simple as it seems.

Wait, didn't Pikachu's tail have a black tip? And I thought Nelson Mandela already died? It's fascinating that millions of people thought that same thing when news broke in 2013 of Mandela's death. What exactly is going on with this phenomenon that has afflicted everything from the Berenstain Bears to the Monopoly Man's monocle--or lack thereof. 

It's one of the most significant threats to the United States in decades--and it's not just militarily. The SolarWinds hack puts private and public industries at risk, and the extent of compromised data and severity of the threat continues to grow.

Is it simply a by-product of continuous cultural evolution or something deliberately manufactured by people? Political correctness continues to dictate the language we use and how we speak about each other. 

Shrouded in mystery, these bizarre phenomena leave most of us perplexed. Reports of poltergeists and other extraordinary events have been abundant throughout history. Is there something more to these events than the media's dramatized films? 

It's easy to attribute the ever-increasing human lifespan to modern medicine--and it's well deserved in many cases. While advances in this industry have certainly had a profound impact on our health, we may be overlooking the efficacy of many ancient medicinal practices and their holistic approach to wellness. 

Will it propel humanity into god-like omniscience, or will it be the downfall of humanity? Both are truly possible outcomes of advanced A.I., and it's a leading debate among the world's greatest intellectuals. 

With agricultural food demands expected to increase 70% by 2050, GMOs may be the solution to stave off world hunger for our growing population. But can they prove to be as safe as the organic foods that have been the dietary standard for millennia?

Just over 30 days ago kicked of Modern Day Apocrypha's first ever challenge: daily meditation. Find out what this experience meant for us. Was our experience different from yours?

This episode pits two heavyweights against each other, and no, it's not an MMA match or even Monster Jam. Today we're talking Carnivore diet vs. Vegan diet. 

They're the billboards that catch the most attention, especially when the lottery is in triple digits. But are lotteries a net good thing or could they cause more harm than good?

Carnivore, vegan, paleo, keto... there are a lot of diets. But what exactly is the right one to choose of the plethora of competing options that often contradict each other?

Rumblings of unprecedented foreign aid and rumors of unjustified spending plagued the stimulus bill. But what's really included in the bill that passed through Congress, and is there a bigger story to be told?

Focus, thoughtfulness, blood flow, and a reduction in anxiety can all be improved through meditation. But tales of enduring intense pain, controlled body temperature and other extreme human feats are said to be achieved through meditation as well. What are the limits of this millennia-old practice?

Will it replace the state-sponsored currencies? Could it become the world's reserve currency? This episode is all about cryptocurrencies--yes, Bitcoin--and how it and other cryptocurrencies could change the landscape of what we call "money" forever.

As the Epstein saga unfolds before the world, we can't help but wonder if--or when--another prominent figure will be implicated in this repugnant scandal. All eyes are on Ghislaine, but the question remains: are the world's elite getting away with high crimes?

It's subjective to every human on this planet. But, what does spirituality mean to us as a species, and why has it been a defining characteristic of humanity for millennia?

You know that tingling sensation you get when you see the number 10 surrounded by a red circle on your social media app? Me neither. But for those of you who do, we're exploring the good and bad of social media's impact on today's society. 

With the growing legalization movement, we're hearing arguments supporting both sides of the conversation. But one question shoots right down the middle: Is addiction a disease? In this episode, we discuss what the professionals say and host an honest conversation about personal responsibility and tolerance. 

Did E.T. really phone home or was it merely a case of unidentified radio waves? Whatever the case, UFOs, aliens, and the mysteries of the universe have intrigued human beings for millennia, and this episode opens Pandora's box to explore extra terrestrial life.

At first glance, the private prison system appears to be the monetization of humans, but could there be more to this system? Can it even be justified?

If you're reading this right now, chances are you haven't worried about where your next meal is going to come from since... well, ever. That's privilege. But is "privilege" really "better?"

Yeah, just double the first number. Wait, what? You don't tip here?  Tipping around the world is complicated. So why do we do it and what makes the service industry the only exception when it comes to the American minimum wage law? 

Have you ever died? Me neither, but I have spent many hours pondering what happens after death. This episode is all about Near Death Experiences. What are these mysterious events, how do they work, and why do we have them?

They're on the rise--both in terms of number and power. Whether it's the financiers who control our money or the social media and tech giants who influence the very information we see, the world's billionaires are under extreme scrutiny. But what's the real story: exploitation or mass scale enablement of goods and services?

As kids, we were free to run and play without worry or supervision. Fast forward to the present day and we are culturally apprehensive of strangers and wouldn't dare to let our kids go exploring alone. What the hell happened?

What's that about a rising sun? You've heard the stories in the media, "China is threatening the US. We must stop them at all costs!" Let's dig deeper than that. What's really going on here? 

US elections. The two-party system. Trump vs. Biden. How did we get here and how do we get out? 

Throw us a life preserver. Are our world leaders padding their position at the expense of those they serve? Why does it feel that the world around us is getting left in the wake of the elite. Look no further than the crippled economy as indicated by joblessness in contrast to the booming stock market. What's really going on?

It's been a theme for over 60 years: we have to stop the spread of communism in the name of democracy! So why is it that so many millennials find value in many elements of a socialistic society?

Drugs are bad, m'kay? Tony and Nick share their experiences--both good and bad--while delving into the taboo reality of mind-altering substances. 

Covid-19 took the world by storm, but what are the lingering effects that are reshaping the world around us? In this episode, we explore how the pandemic is transforming our cities. 

Welcome to Modern Day Apocrypha! Every great adventure has to start somewhere, so come meet Tony & Nick as they embark on the quest to destroy the ring--er--to explore difficult topics to uncover truths and broaden our perspectives.