The original podcast review podcast - think of it as a detailed synopsis riddled with opinions. Ollie, an avid podcast listener, listens to up to 70 hours of podcasts a week. When she found out her friend James had never listened to a podcast in his life – she was having none of it. Join Ollie and James as they navigate the realm of over 850,000 podcasts, unearthing and unpacking podcasts from around the globe, including some of your favourites and hidden gems you didn’t even know were out there. Can Ollie convince James that his life is not complete without podcasts in it?
What do Sony, North Korea and 81 Million dollars have in common?... the story of a hacking ring and an attempt to steal a billion dollars. Do you remember the Sony hacks of 2014? Did you know they were linked to James Franco and Seth Rogen, Kim Jong-Un and the so-called Lazarus Group?Tune in this week as Ollie wraps up Season 2 by introducing James to a podcast that spans the globe in search of why a group of international hackers attempted to steal 1 Billion dollars from The Bangladesh Bank, with The Lazarus Heist. Brought to us by BBC News and hosted by the brilliant journalists Jean Lee and Geoff White, this tale of international intrigue is a must listen.Hear all the reasons why you need this podcast in your life and in your podcast queue.
In follow up to our review of Ecstasy: The Battle Of The Rave we have the pleasure of having the brilliant Chris Waburton and Ciaran Tracey on the show.Tune in to hear all about the team that brought the podcast together and gain insight into how the podcast was made.
What do colonialism, aphrodesiac and a national park have in common?... A multifascited exploration of race politics against the backdrop of South Africa's war on Rhino poaching.This week the team at My Friend Has Never were priveleged to be given exclusive access to the Brilliant Casfile Presents: The Invisible Hand. Co-Created and Written by Georgina Savage and Sophie Seyd and presented, produced and edited by Georgina savage, this odcas is a must listen and it only just begun.Tune in to hear all the reasons you need to get around this podcast.
What do a New York murder, Police laziness and a baby's birth in Florida have in common?... How a man who claims to have 13 alibi witnesses got convicted of murder and served 20 years in prison.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a Podcast that chronicles the case of Richard Rosario, who was convicted of a 1996 murder in New York City while he claims to have been in Florida, with 13 Alibis Brought to us by Dateline NBC and investigated, presented and produced by Dan Slepian, 13 Alibi's is a must listen.Make sure you listen to all the reasons you to get around this podcast.
What do Disneyland, Sex workers and a foot in a trash-sorting plant have in common?... A podcast that examines a woman detective determined to get justice, whatever the method. Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that focuses on Anaheim investigator Julissa Trapp and her hunt for a notorious killer, with Detective Trapp. Brought to us by Wondery and the LA Times and hosted by the brilliant mind who brought us Dirty John, Los Angeles Times staff writer Christopher Goffard.Hear all the reasons you should listen to this true-crime podcast that as opposed to focusing in on the killer, homes in on the cop — and draws an intensely human portrait of its titular subject.
What do Rupert Murdoch, The Mossad and Jeffery Epstein have in common?... A podcast that helps us to understand Ghislaine Maxwell (Jeffrey Epstein's alleged partner in crime) by getting to know her father, media tycoon Robert Maxwell.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that follows Robert Maxwell's rise from nothing to fall... from the deck of his super yacht under mysterious circumstances, with Power: The Maxwells. Brought to us by Somethin' Else, makers of ‘The Immaculate Deception' and ‘The Fault Line: Bush, Blair and Iraq' and hosted by brilliant Investigative journalist Tara Palmeri, ‘Power: The Maxwells' is a seven part series on the incredible true story of a media mogul whose legacy is still being felt today.
What do a stand up comedian, the worlds "smartest" people and a dumb slut have in common?... A woman's more-than-uncomfortable year of experiences in Mensa, the world's oldest high-IQ society. Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that explores the nasty alt right undercurrent of Mensa, with My Year In Mensa. Brought to use by iHeartRadio and first person reported by the hilariously dry Jamie Loftus, the podcast is a must listen.From death threats online to the infamous 'boob thread', taking the test as a joke to attending the 2019 American Mensa gathering and everything in between, make sure you listen to hear why you need this podcast in your life.
What do Louie Armstrong, The CIA and a baby boom in France have in common?... The rumour that the Scorpian song, Wind of Change - one of the biggest rock singles EVER, was actually written by the CIA.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that embarks on a journey to find the truth. A podcast that explores the possibility that a song that ended the Cold War was a CIA activity spreading propaganda through pop music. An original series from Pineapple Street Studios, Crooked Media and Spotify, Wind of Change is researched and presented by the fantastic Patrick Radden Keefe. From Moscow to Ohio, spies doing the unthinkable to leather clad rockers performing in Russia and a maze of government secrets, We discuss all the reasons Wind of Change is a must listen!
What do environmental activists, state-condoned sexual abuse, and a public inquiry have in common?... one of the biggest scandals in recent British history. Between 1990 and 2010 women of various left-wing groups were seduced, misled and manipulated by undercover police officers; they were victims of what has become known as the “spy cops” scandal.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that explores the horrifying abuse of human rights that occurs when women are toyed with and used in the pursuit of "justice", with Bed Of Lies. Brought to us by The Telegraph and written and hosted by the brilliant Cara McGoogan, Bed Of Lies is a must listen and Ollie and James will tell you why.
What do the Supreme Court, a journalist and a man serving a life sentence have in common?...A journalist who followed a story for almost 30 years - the ups, the downs and the relationship that evolves between reporter and source.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast about the system that sentences juveniles to life in prison, a story of incarceration, redemption, and the unusual relationship between a journalist and a source, with Suave. Brought to us by Futuro Studios and PRX and hosted by Maggie Freleng - Suave is an unsettling seven-part podcast that tells the story of Gonzalez, who expected to live his whole life behind bars, and his friendship with the journalist Maria Hinojosa, who gave a talk at Graterford State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania in 1993 and stayed in contact with him in the years that followed.
In follow up to our recent review of the deeply personal and skillfully reported Sold in America; brought to us by Stitcher, we are privileged to speak to the fabulous journalist and Activist herself, Noor Tagouri.Tune in this week as we talk all things Gender neutral names, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef, sex trafficking, opioid addictions, sex workers, Philanthropy, elevating homelessness, Rick and Morty, Solar opposites Justin Roiland, Avatar the Last Air bender, Bryan Konietzko, Ramadan, Still Processing, Black Cowboys, Podcast Noor and what's up next for Noor Tagouri.
In follow up to our recent review of the exceptionally written and well researched Real Dictators, we get to speak to the producer himself and CEO of Noiser, Pascal Hughes. Pascal is young, ambitious and extremely talented and this interview is a must listen.Tune in as we talk all things Noiser, Pascal's transition from TV to Podcasts, Bristol, Banksy, Real Narcos, former DEA Chief of international operations, Paul McGann, 12 million downloads, mafia season 1 and even what Pascal is listening to and watching.
What do a suicide bombing, an Elk hunt and an infamous propaganda video have in common?... How an American mum who left behind a comfortable life and travelled to the heart of the Islamic State group caliphate with her family.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that tries to uncover the truth about an American family’s journey from Indiana to the Islamic State group’s caliphate and back, with I Am Not A Monster. Brought to us by BBC Panorama and Frontline (PBS), I Am Not A Monster is hosted by Josh Baker and explores his four year journey to unravel a story where nothing is as it seems. Secrets, lies and lasting consequences, hear all the reasons you need to listen to I Am Not A Monster.
What do Acid house, police riots and car convoys have in common?,,, How ecstasy changed the club scene in the UK in the 1980s.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that explores how a group of lives was changed forever when Ecstasy and Acid House first swept Britain, with Ecstasy The Battle Of The Rave. Brought to us by BBC Radio 5 Live, The producers have decided to tell that tale in two ways. First, a six-part documentary (plus a bonus episode), hosted by 5 Live’s Chris Warburton. Second, five monologues written by Danny Brocklehurst. Hear all the reasons you need to get around this podcast ASAP.
What do Oprah, Punk Rock and Neo Nazi skinheads have in common?... The origins of the youth white supremacist movement in America. Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that explores how young neo Nazi skinheads became the frontline soldiers for a coming race war and resuscitated life into the declining and laughable KKK and American Nazi's of the 1980's, with Motive Season 3. Brought to us by WBEZ Chicago, reported and hosted by Odette Yousef, produced by Colin McNulty and story consultant Christian Picciolini, MOtive Season 3 is a must listen.Hear all the reasons why you should listen to the podcast that explores why young Americans joined the white supremacy movement in the 80's and the impact that is having on America today.
What do orgies, rising music stars and a famous weatherman have in common?... The complicated and bizarre story of Chuck Bronstadt, a famous local weather man in Florida that was found dead in his water bed.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to an original fictional, comedic true crime podcast, with This Sounds Serious - Season 1: The Case of Chuck Bronstadt. A Castbox original podcast, created and produced by the award-winning studio Kelly & Kelly and voiced by Carly Pope - This Sounds Serious was rated by Apple Podcasts as one of the 'Best Podcasts of 2018'.Be ready to laugh out loud at this fake, satirical crime podcast!
What do Craigslist, Congress and the Bunny Ranch Brothel have in common...? The billion-dollar trade that is the world of selling sex in the United States.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that covers issues from human trafficking to prostitution, and pulls back the curtain on our nation's sex trade, with Sold In America.Sold in America is an nine-episode journey hosted by journalist and activist Noor Tagouri, and brought to us by Stitcher. This deeply personal, deeply reported series takes listeners across the country to meet the human faces of the sex trade industry – and uncovers its surprising misconceptions.
What do an American-trained doctor, a Chinese peasants son and a Japanese politician have in common?... Some of the worlds cruelest and murderous tyrannical leaders.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast that explores the hidden lives of history’s tyrants, including Mao Zedong, General Tojo and Papa Doc, with Real Dictators. Brought to us by Noiser, produced by the brilliant Pascal Hughes and hosted by the talented Paul McGann (Dr Who, Luther, Withnail and I), Real Dictators is exceptionally written and well researched.The way Real Dictators fuses immersive, dramatic storytelling with interviews with world-renowned experts including historians and an array of regime insiders, this podcast is a must listen.
In follow up to our review of the emotional and honestly raw Silent Waves, we get to speak to co-creator, host and producer, Raquel O'Brien. Find out how Silent Waves came to be, the ripple effect the podcast has had and where and what Raquel has been doing since the podcast.Covering a host of different topics like her family's involvement in the Podcast, the amazon, Maya Angelou, Casefile Presents, Casefile Presents The Official Portuguese Edition and much much more, tune in to hear the interview we have been waiting months to bring you.
In follow up to our recent review of the enthralling Chameleon Hollywood Con Queen, we get to speak to Journalist, author and one of the hosts, Josh Dean. Hear all about how he went on a quest to uncover one of the biggest scams in recent history.Find out how Josh and Vanessa put pressure on the FBI to crack the case, how COVID 19 could interfere the investigation and outcome, teasers about what's next for Josh and Campside Media and much much more.
What do Hollywood, Jakarta and the 'offer of a lifetime' have in common? An unbelievably long con where hundreds of Hollywood gig workers have been fooled into flying to Indonesia for a movie that doesn’t existTune in this week as Ollie introduces James to one of the weirdest and wildest scams in recent history; where an international con artist was able to impersonate hundreds of Hollywood elite to scam millions of dollars out of thousands of people, with Chameleon Hollywood Con Queen. Brought to us by Campside Media co-founders Josh Dean and Vanessa Grigoriadis, hear why Spotify, Stitcher, and Rolling Stone named it one of 2020's best podcasts.
What do elaborate schemes to defraud multiple cancer patients; a (probably fake) lesbian love affair and identity theft have in common?.. .A case which unwittingly turned a crew of Dateline journalists into participants in a case they’d spend years covering.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to one of the wildest true crime stories in recent memory; the story of the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria and its spiral of ensuing real-life plot twists, culminating in the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger. Created by NBC’s long-running true crime news program, hosted by Dateline's Keith Morrison this podcast will keep you guessing.Dateline’s first narrative true crime podcast is a jawdropping story of greed — and a deeply fallible justice system. Listen to find out all this and more.
In follow up to our recent review of the brilliant No Strings Attached, we get to speak to News correspondent for ITV and host himself, Robert Murphy. Hear all about how he chose, investigated and brought together this multilayered crime podcast that attempts to avoid all clichés.Tune in this week as Ollie and James interview Robert Murphy, who shares additional information and insight into how a murder mystery favourite podcast of ours came to be.
What do terminal parents, online trolls & sex workers have in common?... A thought provoking, conversation-starter podcast that explores - who are we when no one is looking? Tune in this week as Ollie Introduces James to a podcast that provides a space for individuals to share incredible life stories, shaped by loneliness, tragedy, trauma to suicidal thoughts, and challenge listeners to check in with themselves and ask - who am I right now, with The Deep.Created and hosted by the brilliant Zoe Marshall, Marshall's ability to face the uncomfortable while staying connected with her guests and holding a space for them to be vulnerable and tell their truth makes The Deep a must listen.
In a highly anticipated follow up to our review of the award wining Hunting Warhead, we get to speak to the amazing team - Daemon Fairless, Chris Oke and Hakon Hoydal. Hear all about the podcasts inception, what the reception has been like for the team, what didn't make the final edit, what's next for them and much much more. Tune in this week as Ollie and James interview the team who brought us some of the podcast industry greats favourite podcast, Hunting Warhead.
What do psychiatric patients in Canada, sex workers giving LSD to clients and the Cold War have in common?... The story of the CIA's quest at controlling peoples minds.We are back people and kicking off Season Two with a doozy. Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to the notorious MKULTRA program and brainwashing experiments spanning from the 1950's up until today, with Brainwashed. Brought to us by CBC Podcast co-produced by The Fifth Estate and hosted by Michelle Shephard, Brainwashed is our next pick of your Library.
Christmas is just around the corner - and what better way to see it in than with a special episode made just for our listeners. My Friend has never listened to a podcast would be nothing without our listeners, so we are letting you take the reigns. In this episode we talk a little about ourselves, and respond to listener-submitted questions. Thank you so much for listening, we appreciate you.
What do a D.C. Hairdresser, an Alabama bakery and high profile judge have in common?... The story of two women tied together with an allegation of sexual assault. After a sexual assault case in the District of Columbia, one woman’s public warning ricochets all the way to Birmingham, Alabama, where another woman gives voice to a devastating allegation.Tune in this week as Ollie uncages a story of a woman's difficult decision to come forward with a story of sexual assault, with Canary: The Washington Post Investigates. Hosted by the brilliant investigative reporter Amy Brittain and produced by Reena Flores and Bishop Sand, the podcast will draw you in from the start and hold you for the duration with it's honest, raw and emotive approach.“Canary: The Washington Post Investigates” is about the intertwining stories of these two women, separated by decades and united by a shared refusal to stay silent.
What do Batman, 25 million dollars and Chicago have in common?... The wrongful incarceration of a 13 year old. Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez was arrested for murder when he was 13. He spent 16 years behind bars until a judge ruled that he’d been wrongfully convicted. He was freed and awarded $25 million in compensation for his lost years. Then, T.J. became a self-appointed leader of a street gang.Tune in this week as Ollie takes James to Chicago to explore the story of T.J. Jimenez, with Motive - Season 1. Brought to us by WBEZ Chicago, Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.It's a cruel sociological experiment. Lock up a 13-year-old boy for a murder that he swore he didn't commit. Release him as a 30-year-old man. Then, give him $25 million and see what happens. With his money, Jimenez could have done anything. Instead, he built a gang, unleashed chaos, shot a guy on video and posted it to YouTube, and ended up back in jail. And the big question is … why?
What do UFO's, bad haircuts and Nike have in common?... A mass suicide near San Diego involving 39 people, sedatives, vodka and plastic bags. Religious cults around the world are no new thing, however, this particular one believed shedding their earthly bodies in order to meet a UFO they believed was trailing the Hale-Bop comet - a UFO that would transport them to the kingdom of heaven.Tune in this week as Ollie releases the latch on cults, with Heaven's Gate. Hosted by the excellent Glynn Washington and brought to us by the always awesome Stitcher and Pineapple Street Media , Heaven's Gate is interesting, captivating, extremely well researched and presented. Hear how brilliant story telling blended with original recordings , letters and interviews can create a must listen podcast.
What do online dating, a sex club and skydiving have in common?... Sex, lies, control, secrets and a failed murder attempt.Tune in this week as Ollie highlights to James a story of a husband’s plot to murder his wife by sabotaging her parachute - as told by the team of detectives who refused to give up on the case, with No Strings Attached.In a new true crime podcast from ITV News, No Strings Attached explores the inside story of Emile Cilliers' plot to kill his wife Vicky so he could claim her life insurance, clear his debts, and begin a new life with his secret lover - as told by those involved in the case.
What do Brazil, The Collingwood AFL team and embezzlement have in common?... A sex abuse survivor and her personal investigation which uncovers a traumatic history laced with sexual abuse and a father with a dark secret.Tune in this week as Ollie challenges James to listen to a harrowing podcast about the cycle of abuse from someone who has lived through–and almost perpetuated–that vicious circle, with Silent Waves. Originally produced in collaboration with Georgina Savage, the podcast has now been remastered by the audio team behind Casefile for Casefile Presents and is created and hosted by the brilliant Raquel O’Brien.Silent Waves is a fascinating and painful listen. It’s direct, honest, and deeply emotional. After 18 months of raw, brutally honest and open conversations with her family about the cataclysmic circumstances of their story, Obrien has created a story that will linger with you well past its runtime, whether it’s because it’s helped educate you on situations like these, or because it’s finally given you a voice.
What do Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey and a lifetime pair of courtside tickets for all Clippers games have in common?... A five-part story about basketball in Los Angeles, a ruthless real estate empire, the worst owner in sports, and the scandal that rocked the NBA. Tune in this week as Ollie and James examine what happened when an audio recording of a racist rant by Clippers owner Donald Sterling was leaked in 2014 and how it changed the NBA forever. "The Sterling Affairs" is a five-part series from 30 for 30 Podcasts and The Undefeated, produced in collaboration with ESPN and Western Sound. The series is reported and hosted by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.Sterling had been a problem for decades -- in basketball, real estate and more. Why did it take 30 years to finally hold him accountable? Involving the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson, P Diddy, Barbra Walters, Steve Ballmer, Jerry Buss, Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers, The LA Clippers, The LA Lakers, NBA, Trayvon Martin, Adam Silver and many more.
What do AI Marketing, blockbuster and workplace culture have in common?... A subscription-based streaming service that has changed life as we know it, Netflix. How did Netflix get to where it is today and can it can maintain its streaming supremacy?Tune in this week as Ollie highlights how netflix became the against we know it to be, with, Land Of The Giants - The Netflix Effect.Hosted be the awesome Peter Kafka, of Recode game and Rani Molla and brought to us by Vox Media Podcast Network and Epic Magazine. Hear from Netflix’s founders and top executives as well as its competitors, critics and more - covering everything from its unusual internal culture to its battle with Blockbuster, its disruption of Hollywood and the upcoming streaming wars.
In follow up to our review of America, If You're Listening, we get to speak to the talented, Australia Podcast Award winner, Matt Bevan. Hear all about who he is, how he got into journalism and broadcasting and how he decided to create the extremely popular America, If You're Listening (formally Russia, If You're Listening).Tune in this week as we discuss all things, America, If You're Listening Covid-19, ABC, Donald Trump, Russia, US Election, Joe Biden, Nuclear Bombs, Trump Administration, Hurricanes, Brexit, Boris Johnson, book deals, Slow Burn, Michael Lewis, The Dollop and much more.
What do Black Lives Matter Protests, Golf courses and Hurricane Maria have in common?... Well a name that has been on everyone's lips for the past 4 years, Donald Trump. In the lead up to November 03rd 2020 all eyes around the world are fixated on this mans every movements, but how much do we really know about Trump's greatest achievements, disappointments and disasters and how they all fit together?Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a podcast about how Donald Trump changed the United States and the world, with America If Your Listening. Brought to us ABC and presented by the Australian Podcast award winner, New Castle local, Matt Bevan. Four years ago, Donald Trump promised to make America Strong, Wealthy, Safe, Proud and Great Again. In November, Americans will have their chance to elect him again. Has he lived up to his promise?Covering everything from Fake News, NRA, FIMA, Nuke, Saudi Embassy, Armed Asassins, this podcast is a must add to your list in the lead up to what some are calling the election of the century.
What do getaway drivers, shoe shining and a coat rack have in common?... the free-flowing booze, comped shows, free parking and $1.99 buffets that locals used to enjoy at Las Vegas casinos during the mob days, from the mid-20th century through the 1980s. Was Las Vegas better off when it was run by the mob?Tune in this week as ollie introduces James to how Vegas was governed with arson, robbery and murder, with Mobbed Up: The fight for Las Vegas. Brought to us by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, The Mob Museum in Las Vegas and hosted and produced by the brilliant Reed Redman, this podcast will have you listening to frank and cuing up Casino and The Departed on Netflix.Chronicling the rise and fall of organized crime in Las Vegas through the eyes of those who lived it: ex-mobsters, law enforcement officials, politicians and journalists; Mobbed Up covers everything from, Al Pachino, The Star Casino, skimming money, informants, rats, the Rat Pack, The Stardust Casino, money laundering, Frank Cullota, Martin Scorsese, The Godfather and much much more.
What do online dating, terrorism and Google X have in common?... The AI revolution that is transforming our lives and what we might be sleepwalking into. Is AI becoming smarter and more intelligent than humans? Is machine learning rapidly hurdling us towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Is an AI takeover on the horizon?Tune in this week as Ollie highlights the eerie future-is-now realms of AI, with Sleepwalkers. Brought to us by iHeart radio and hosted by the talented Emmy and Peabody award winning Oz Woloshyn and former host of The Huffington Post science show “Talk Nerdy To Me” and the Co-founder of Belletrist Karah Preiss, Sleepwalkers explores the thrill of the AI revolution hands-on, to see how we can stay in control of our future.With the potential to either leave you rocking in the corner, excited about the future or somewhere in between, Sleepwalkers covers off on everything from how AI can be used when diagnosing aggressive cancers, automating facial recognition, helping people find love, and even writing movie scripts from scratch. With special guest including Yuval Noah Harari, author of 'Sapiens' and 'Homo Deus', Dr. Helen Fisher of Match.com, and Astro Teller, who runs X, a secretive research lab at Google.
Get excited people, because we can't contain ourselves!! This week we have the utter privilege of having a long time favourite of Ollie's on the show - the brilliant Rabia Chaudry.Pandemic, politics, worklife balance, working mums, Undisclosed, Hidden Djinn, The 45th, Donald Trump, The British Bakeoff, Selling Sunset, the upcoming American election, #fastforadnan, Jon Cryer, Supergirl, Muslim culture, Maori culture, RGB, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Covid 19, Barak Obama, BLM, Black Lives Matter, 1619, Slavery, police brutality, Joe Biden and much much more.We also talked about what people outside America could do influence things in the right direction with the upcoming elecition. Tune in and watch our socials to hear our call to action in the lead up to November 03rd.
This week we are dropping the seventh of our bonus episodes, providing further insight into some of our favourite podcasts. Tune in for an interview with the fantastic Kate Ryan, Natalie Bonjolo and Tim Clarke and hear our conversations on all things Claremont: The Trial.Including insight into, Claremont serial killings, Perth Western Australia, podcasting, sound design, Bradley Edwards, Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer, Ciara Glennon, Telstra, Perth, The West, DNA, fiber evidence, Hollywood Hospital, Wendy Davis and much, much more.
What do the Calais Refugee camp, the Taliban and a Nicole Kidman have in common?... The extreme lengths asylum seekers will go to to seek refugee status. According to the UNHCR, there are approximately 2.6 million registered refugees in 70 countries around the world and about three in four Afghans have gone through internal, external or multiple displacement in their lives. Tune in this week as Ollie highlights a horrific way a father seeks asylum in hopes of a better life and the journey a mother will undertake to reconnect with her daughter and find the truth, with Girl Taken. Brought to us BBC Radio Four and hosted by BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell and former soldier Rob Laurie, join the team in the race to find a little girl taken.
What do symbolic ritualistic killings, an all night birthday party and a getaway bag of tighty whiteys have in common?... An insight into the life of and events leading up to the arrest and trial of the most powerful drug trafficker in the world, El Chapo. With a movie like life full of events almost too hard to believe, the head of the Sinaloa cartel created underground tunnels, hired out airports and even allegedly rubbed shoulders with presidents and government officials to move his drugs.Tune in this week as Ollie unveils the life of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, with El Chapo: Kingpin on Trial. Another brilliant investigative journalism piece brought to us by VICE News Podcasts and Written and hosted by the sensational Keegan Hamilton - El Chapo: Kingpin on Trial brings to life and further shines a light on a subject most would only be familiar with in movies.Listen to how Keegan and his team again put themselves on the frontline by travelling to Mexico and across the United States to uncover everything. Including insight from El Chapo's family members, interviews with hitmen and drug traffickers, talking to farmers who grow poppies for opium and even speaking to informant's wives - hear how Ronald Reagan, Sean Penn, The Mexican military, the DEA, an assassination, multiple escapes, Cartel violence, the golden triangle and much much more are all entangled in 'Shorty's' story and the drug war in Mexico and the U.S.A.
This week we are dropping the sixth of our bonus episodes, providing further insight into some of our favourite podcasts. Tune in for an interview with the brilliant Dr. Brian Klaas and George McDonagh and hear our conversations on all things Power Corrupts.Including insight into podcasting, sound design, political science, Radio Lab, Paul Bremer, trolls, mainstream media, Podcast education, The Washington Post, Monocle 24, Bronze Award for smartest podcast, BBC, Listenership, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Corruption, Authoritarianism, political murder, Ma Anand Sheela, Rajneeshee, Brian's upcoming book, pints, chicken wings, Donald Trump, the news that you don't see, bat bombs, the importance of word of mouth, mass atrocities, student protests, Music to further emotion, propaganda, letters of last resort, Lord Butler of Brockwell, Simon Mann, Coup in Equatorial Guinea, how to secure interview guests, thought provoking ethical dilemmas, catastrophic miscalculations, heists, witnessing 283 executions, the godfather of fake news, starbucks parking lots, knowing when to cut and what to leave in, Minnesota, Bob Dylan, Prince, Oxford, UCL, New Zealand, Wellington, Molly Malones, rigged elections and much much more.
What do Turkmenistan, nuclear weapons and JFK have in common?... The hidden, and often nefarious forces that shape our world. From election rigging and money laundering to the spread of disinformation, no stone is left unturned in the quest to shine light on the international authoritarian regimes and dark side of politics.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to election rigging, money laundering, and the spread of disinformation, with Power Corrupts - Season 1. Created and narrated by the incredible Dr. Brian Klaas, a political scientist and columnist for the Washington Post and executive produced and edited by the insanely talented George McDonagh, this British Podcast Award winning podcast is so well created and delivered.You'll learn all about The Rajneesh movement, Harold Holt, Qanon, Papa Doc, General Butt Naked, disinformation and Facebook, ransom insurance, international arms trade, Fritz Haber, Kim Jong-il, Gadaffi, letters of last resort and much much more.
What do John Kapoor, American Indian reservations and Pain Clinics have in common?... A deep dive into the powerful opioid fuelling America's overdose crisis. Whether you have heard of Fentanyl or not, you'd be very aware of the pain medication crisis America, and by proxy other parts of the world, are experiencing. Tune in this week as Ollie illuminates, how although opioids have been around for thousands of years, the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl causes more fatal overdoses than any other drug. Brought to us by VICE News Podcasts and Written and hosted by the excellent Keegan Hamilton - Painkiller: America's Fentanyl Crisis is a sensational listen. Hear how Keegan and his team travelled around the US and the world for over a year tracing the flow of illicit fentanyl, meeting cartel members in Mexico, an internet trafficker in China, and the DEA agents trying to track them down. Understand how they investigate the dark web’s biggest fentanyl dealers, pharmaceutical giants pushing pills and even talk to front-line workers responding to overdoses.
What do washed-up nineties sitcom stars, corrupt ivy league officials and bratty Instagram influencers have in common?... The biggest college admissions scandal of the century. Unless you have been hiding under a rock over the past few years, you’d know that the likes of actresses Lori Loughin, of former Full House fame and Felicity Huffman, former Desperate Housewives star; have been entangled in what FBI call Operation Varsity Blues. Engineered by William ‘Rick’ Singer, wealthy parents were lured into his scheme by promising to get their children admitted to marquee named colleges via the “side door”.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to the world of white-collar corruption, with Gangster Capitalism. Produced by C13Originals and hosted by documentary filmmaker Andrew Jenks, this Peabody and Webby nominated Podcast season shines a light on a broken system and how men like Singer were so adept at exploiting its weaknesses.This season features original interviews with college admission experts, Reporters, students and even a confrontational encounter with Singer himself. Listen to how it all unfolded this week on My Friend Has Never Listened To A Podcast.
This week we are dropping the fifth of our bonus episodes, providing further insight into some of our favourite podcasts. Tune in for an interview with the fabulous Augustine Cerf and Lauren Peters and hear our conversations on all things The Walkers Switch, podcasting, conspiracy theories, Mandela effect, Gary Lineker, Tory party, Illuminati, Google, Esther Perel, Where Do We Begin, Power Corrupts, Brian Klass, Dear Jaon and Jericha, My Dad Wrote A Porno, Elon Musk, Nick Bostrom, side hustles, Reply All and much much more...
What do Gary Lineker, Google and the Illuminati have in common?... The greatest hoax in British crisp history. In the early 1990’s, people all over the UK remember Walkers changing the colour of their cheese and onion and salt and vinegar crisp packets from green to blue and blue to green.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to a great UK debate, with The Walkers Switch. Written, hosted, produced and edited by the fabulous Augustine Cerf and Lauren Peters, the pair take a seemingly trivial conundrum and investigate it forensically.Exploring the Mandela effect, the 1992 English election and gaining perspectives from potato farmers, physicists, philosophers, memory experts and conspiracy theorists - you’ll have to wait until the end to see who’s lying and if so, why?
What do skittles, Michigan State University and Simone Biles have in common?... The biggest USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal and how Larry Nassar got away with abusing hundreds of women and girls for two decades. With the release of Athlete A on Netflix, the current conversations surrounding Pizzagate and pedophile rings the subject of child sexual assault is extremely topical.Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to an extremely sad series of events that lead 125 victims falling prey to convicted sex offender, former USA Gymnastics national team doctor, Larry Nassar. Hosted by Scripps Howard award winning journalists, Kate Wells and Lindsay Smith, and brought to us by NPR and Michigan Radio Podcast; believed is the podcast that lets victims tell their stories.This eight-episode series is a story of survivors finding their power in a cultural moment when people are coming to understand how important that is.
This week we are dropping the fourth of our bonus episodes, providing further insight into some of our favourite podcasts. Tune in for an interview with the excellent Paul Cochrane and hear our discussions about all things Childers, True Crime, victims, survivors, cricket, 7NEWS, Bundaberg, recall moments, Childers memorial, Princess Anne, Community history, audio archives, Connection through stories, Childers 20th Anniversary, International listeners, Sound engineer Zoltan Fresco, sound designer 1 percenters, Childers post fire, Robert Longs sentence and much, much more.
What do Princess Anne, Karl Stefanovic and faulty smoke detectors have in common?... One of the worst blazes and mass killings in Australia’s history. In June 2000 the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel was set a light by the nefarious Robert Long, tragically killing 15 backpackers in the blaze.Tune in this week as Ollie unpacks the details of the incident, victims, perpetrator and aftermath with, Childers. Hosted by the great journalist Paul Cochrane and composed, sound designed and audio produced by Zoltan Fecso, Childers answers questions like, what was it like for family members who lost loved ones? How was it living in the town at the time? How did it feel to have made it out alive? This multi episode podcast offers insight from multiple people involved and affected by this incident including survivors, family members, first responders, firefighters and members of the Childers community.