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The Hum - CLASSIC

In certain parts of the world, groups of people from all walks of life claim to hear a continuous hum. Yet not everyone can hear this noise, and there's no hard proof of its existence. Tune in and learn more about the mysterious hum in this episode.

Sounds and Silence: Weaponized Noise

Could the world's militaries really build lethal sonic weapons? Could infrasound really destroy a human being? How far away are we from the space-age sonic weapons of science fiction? Join Ben and Matt as they explore these questions.

The Vatican's Secret Archives - CLASSIC

For decades before the publication of Dan Brown's novels, conspiracy theorists were convinced that the Catholic Church held numerous Earth-shaking revelations within its secret archives. But what's really in there?

The Mafia: Modern Scandals

While questions about the origins of Italian crime families may linger, there's little doubt about their influence today. Tune in to learn more about Italy's organized crime families and their associates, from the Vatican to secretive Masonic lodges.

The Mafia: Fact and Fiction

For millions of people, the word 'mafia' conjures images of "The Godfather" and "The Sopranos". But what is 'the Mafia', exactly? Where does the term come from, and how has the definition changed over time?

CIA Body Doubles - CLASSIC

Over the past decades, the CIA has been accused of everything from selling guns to assassinating people. Yet that's not the craziest part: Some people believe the CIA is actually replacing its enemies. Tune in and learn more in this episode.

Who Killed Tupac?

After Tupac Shakur's death, speculation about his murderer, his body and even his actual death ran rampant. So, who did kill Tupac or did he even die? Hear the facts for yourself.

Mermaids: Tales and Legends - Cryptids

In the modern age, tales of mermaids fall under the same category as stories of minotaurs or dragons. If that's the case, then why have sailors across centuries reported seeing humanoid, aquatic creatures on the waves?

Cryptids: Sasquatch - Where Is Bigfoot?

Everyone has heard stories about sasquatch sightings, and tales of wild ape-men date back into prehistory. So why haven't we caught one yet? Learn more about bigfoot in this episode.

Cryptids: Chupacabra - CLASSIC

Although sightings of the Chupacabra were first reported in Puerto Rico, eyewitness reports soon began to arrive from across the Americas. But what exactly is this thing? Is it even real? Learn the craziest Chupacabra conspiracy theories in this episode.

Cryptids: Mothman - CLASSIC

Between 1966 and 1967, witnesses across Point Pleasant reported a rash of paranormal activity, leading up to the largest bridge collapse in US history. But what actually happened -- and what on Earth is the Mothman? Tune in and learn more.

Income Taxes - CLASSIC

It's no secret that income tax can be an unpopular subject, and most people think the tax code is far from perfect. But why do some people believe income tax itself is illegal? Tune in to learn more about protestors and income tax conspiracy theory.

Constitutional Conspiracies 201

The balance between freedom and security sways precariously in the best of times, and in a world consumed with the idea of never-ending terrorism, the United States has curtailed some of their citizen's rights. But how exactly? And is this legal?

Constitutional Conspiracies 101

The Constitution is one of the most important documents in the history of United States, and it's also the subject of numerous fringe theories, allegations, rumors and dirty secrets. But what are they, exactly?

Ghosts: The Evidence

People have always been preoccupied with what happens to us after we die, leading some to believe in the existence of ghosts. But is there any real, conclusive evidence that these supernatural beings exist? Tune in to find out.

Ghosts, Part 2: The Hunt

Ghost-hunting has recently enjoyed a resurgence in modern pop culture, but the practice of attempting to communicate with the dead dates back into antiquity. Tune in to learn about the controversy surrounding ghost hunting and the science of spirits.

Ghosts, Part I: The Law

While there's no accepted proof that ghosts exist, that hasn't stopped courts from entertaining their purported testimony. Tune in to learn more about the strange cases that have almost - or actually - depended on the statements of a ghost.

Are plants intelligent? - CLASSIC

We've all heard stories of plants responding to positive attention from humans, and botanists have discovered amazing behavior in some plant species -- but what could it mean? Tune in to learn why some people believe plants may be intelligent.

What Makes a Person? Part Two: Nonhuman Personhood

The term 'nonhuman personhood' might sound paradoxical, but groups of scientists, activists and ethicists are campaigning to give cetaceans, primates and elephants the right to legal personhood. So what's the argument against this?

What Makes a Person? - Part One: Corporations

The controversial decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizen's United case introduced many people to the concept of 'corporate personhood' for the first time. So what exactly is it? Tune in to learn more.

The Illuminati: The Music Industry

This episode examines the alleged links between music and the Illuminati, especially in modern music. Tune in to learn why some people believe today's most popular artists are members of a secret society bent on subverting the will of music-lovers.

The Illuminati: Part III

While skeptics believe the Illuminati disbanded in the 18th century, conspiracy theorists think the organization still exists -- and has nearly accomplished its ancient goals. But what, exactly, are these goals?

The Illuminati: Part II

While mainstream historians agree that the Bavarian Illuminati was founded by Adam Weishaupt in the 18th century, conspiracy theorists think the group is much older. Tune in to hear some of the most bizarre theories about the Illuminati's history.

The Illuminati: Part I

The Illuminati have been blamed for everything from the revolutions to climate change, but why? Watch this segment of a continuing series to learn more about the founding of the Illuminati -- and why some people believe it disbanded centuries ago.

Cannabis Conspiracies - CLASSIC

The DEA considers marijuana a Schedule I Controlled Substance, meaning it's as harmful as heroin or ecstasy. But how did it become illegal in the first place? Tune in to learn more about marijuana and conspiracy theories.

Drugs, Money and Power: The Law

It's no surprise that the pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated - after all, lives are on the line. But who writes these regulations, and how much, if any, influence does the industry have on the legislators passing the laws?

Drugs, Money and Power: Big Pharma

The world's major drugmakers have saved billions of lives, but they've also been accused of unethical behavior. When it comes to 'Big Pharma,' there's no shortage of theories about corruption, price-fixing, and monopolization, but are any true?

Strange Maps and Stranger Theories - CLASSIC

It's no secret that older maps were inaccurate, or completely unreliable. Yet fringe historians believe that some ancient maps are more than error-ridden antiquities. In fact, they think these maps may change history as we know it.

Lost Cities Part 2: Hidden History

The modern understanding of human history is a work in progress, and new discoveries regularly redefine, enrich and - at times - contradict society's existing interpretation. But could world powers really suppress information about lost cities?

Lost Cities: Myths, Legends and Facts

From Shangri-La to Cuidad Blanca and the legendary desert city of Ubar, human civilization is full of stories about legendary lost cities. But is there a grain of truth in any of these myths? Tune in to learn more about lost cities and archaeology .

What Really Happened at Jonestown? - CLASSIC

In 1978, hundreds of Peoples Temple members committed mass suicide by swallowing poison at Jim Jones' command. But how did this happen? Why do some people believe it was part of a government plot? Tune in to learn more about Jim Jones and Leo Ryan.

Murder by Plane: Senator Wellstone

When Senator Wellstone and 7 others died in a 2002 plane crash, the nation was shocked. Wellstone, while considered controversial in some circles, had garnered bipartisan respect during his career. So why do some believe his death wasn't an accident?

Murder by Plane: The Basics

Airplanes aren't as dangerous as some people might think - but accidents still happen, some involving world leaders, potential whistleblowers and other influential people. But some people don't believe these crashes are accidents. Is there evidence?

The Philadelphia Experiment - CLASSIC

Nowadays many people are familiar with the legend of the Philadelphia Experiment -- but how did it all begin? Who is Carlos Allende? Tune in and learn more in this episode.

Time Travel: The Mind

Could human consciousness break away from its physical bindings and traverse the space-time continuum? Did the Sony Corporation prove that extrasensory perception is real? Could our future actions have predictable effects on our past?

Time Travel: The Body

Time travel is an ancient concept, but could it really happen? The first part of this series examines the accounts of some people who claim to have seen physical time travel - or to have traveled through time themselves.

Man-Made Diseases

Through the practice of biological warfare, human beings have used disease as a weapon for centuries. Yet many conspiracists believe the practice continues into the modern age. Why? Tune in to learn more about the possibilities of man-made disease.

Hugo Chavez: The End

In light of the passing of former Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, questions have arisen surrounding his death due to cancer. The most notable of these being: Was he murdered?

Hugo Chavez: The 48-Hour Coup

Hugo Chavez was no stranger to coup d'états - he attempted to launch one himself in 1992. However, for about 48 hours in 2002, he was overthrown and no longer considered the President of Venezuela. Tune in to learn more about his rule.

The Black Panthers and the U.S. Government - CLASSIC

It's no secret that the US government and the Black Panthers didn't get along, but what exactly happened? Tune in to learn more about the Black Panthers, the FBI and a secret program called COINTELPRO.

Gun Control: The Theories

In the wake of recent tragedies like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary, there have been numerous gun control conspiracies. Take a closer look into how these occur in light of tragic shootings.

Gun Control: The Great Debate

It's an understatement to say that firearm legislation is controversial in the United States. With both sides accusing the other of distorting the facts, who's correct? Tune in to learn more about gun control in the first part of our series.

Libya: The Fall of Gaddafi

When Muammar Gaddafi's regime fell, the Libyan rebels quickly set up new infrastructure, including a central bank and an oil company. These moves - as well as questions about the rebel movement - have fueled numerous conspiracy theories.

Libya and the Lockerbie Bombing - Who Was Really Behind the Tragic Event

The 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland is officially considered the work of Libya. However, a growing number of people argue that Libya wasn't responsible - and the West knows the real culprit, but kept the information secret.

Roswell: Project MOGUL

In the decades following the 1947 Roswell crash, researchers investigated rumors of classified government projects, UFOs and mysterious wreckage. Some scholars believe they've found an explanation: the top-secret program known as MOGUL.

Roswell: The First Reports

When an object crashed outside of Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, initial reports from both civilians and intelligence officers described the wreckage as a disc. But within a day the story changed. What happened, exactly? Tune in to learn more.

Deceptive Brain: Hate

It's true that love can mess with perceptions, but what about other emotions? This installment of the deceptive brain series asks how hate affects the brain, and how scientists are learning to measure a person's level of contempt and dislike.

Deceptive Brain: How Love Works

It's been said that love is blind, and it is true that the brain isn't the most objective observer to begin with. But what happens when you are actually in love? Tune in to learn more about your deceptive brain on love.

Pearl Harbor: A Sneak Attack?

Widely known as the "a date that will live in infamy", Pearl Harbor was the attack that lead to U.S. involvement in WWII. However, did the government know of the impending attack or worse, let it occur?

John F. Kennedy Revisited

According to a 2003 poll, 70% of Americans don't believe the official account of the Kennedy assassination. Various researchers have accused everyone from China to Cuba, but why does one author believe there was a different conspiracy at play?

What is the Codex Alimentarius?

The FDA is meant to protect consumers, but some conspiracy theorists believe it was built to control the food supply. In fact, they claim UN accords take this plan one step further. Why? Tune in to learn more about food supply conspiracies.

Matt and Ben's Long Lost Audition Tape

When our buddies Josh and Chuck started filming their real-life TV show, we took a shot at auditioning. In this never-before-seen video, you'll see us make a tongue-in-cheek attempt at getting on TV. (Spoiler alert: It didn't work.)

Should Lobbying be Banned?

Lobbying is a time-honored tradition in the United States, and it provides individuals, communities and private interest groups a tool to directly advocate their beliefs to elected officials. But with massive corruption, is it a constitutional right?

Private Armies, Part 2: The Future of War

In the second part of this series we follow up on the future of private military forces: Who's hiring them? Where are they deployed? Are privatized armies the future of war? Tune in to learn more.

Private Armies, Part 1: Blackwater

In this episode, we begin our series on private armies with a look into the company formerly known as Blackwater USA.

Edward Bernays, Part 3: The Legacy

We explore the legacy in public relations that has been left behind by Edward Bernays.

Edward Bernays - Part 2: How to Sell a War and Start a Civil War In Another Country

In this episode, learn how Edward Bernays used his skills to assist US Presidents and global corporations as they waged war on Guatemala.

Edward Bernays - Part 1: Of Cigarettes and Suffragettes

Nowadays Edward Bernays, often called "the Father of Public Relations," remains a relatively obscure figure. His legacy, however, is thriving around the globe, and his techniques are found in everything from the food we eat to the things we believe.

Water Wars 2: Privatization

Privatization advocates claim private-public partnerships are the most cost-efficient, reliable way to get water to the world's poor -- but critics tell a very different story.

Water Wars 1: Scarcity

With such a strong dependence on water, it can be hard to envision a world without water. However, this could be the case, as privatization and even war over water could become very real.

The Sudden Disappearance of Bees

Recently, U.S. beekeepers have reported a disturbing increase in hive failures. Experts are still trying to learn what's driving the collapse of these hives -- but some conspiracy theorists claim the government knew about this before it hit the news.

The Truth and Inspiration Behind Werewolf Legends

Now staples in monster and horror movies, many ancient civilizations actually believed humans could turn into the werewolf monster of legend. What made this strange phenomenon so believable? Watch to find out.

Presidential Debates: Find Out if the Candidates Are Really the Ones in Control!

Audiences around the United States (and the world) tune in to watch the presidential debates. No one denies that the debates are important, but why do some groups think the debates are corrupt? Tune in to learn more.

Are there living dinosaurs?

According to mainstream science, dinosaur populations were wiped out eons ago. Or were they? Discover why some cryptozoologists and theorists believe that dinosaurs still exist today in this episode of Stuff They Don't Want You to Know.

Can scientists manufacture earthquakes?

Earthquakes are terrifying reminders that some of Earth's processes remain beyond human control. So why do some people think scientists can actually create these disasters? Learn more about earthquake conspiracy theories in this podcast.

Did the Nazis prove that Earth is hollow?

As World War II raged across Europe and the Pacific, the conflict reached every continent on the planet, including Antarctica. Learn more about the little-known Nazi expeditions to Antarctica -- and what they hoped to find there -- in this episode.

Did the U.S. government steal Tesla's technology?

When impoverished inventor Nikola Tesla died in New York City, the U.S. government confiscated his notes. Why? Were they trying to steal his technology? Did they ever relinquish the notes? Tune in to this episode to find out.

Do Freemasons control Washington?

Conspiracy theorists across the world believe that freemasons control the District of Columbia through the use of arcane symbols and geomancy. But why? Tune in and learn about the strange beliefs driving this conspiracy theory.

Do we live in the 18th century?

A few fringe professors have caused rumblings with their controversial claim that three hundred years of human history have been entirely made up. But why do they believe in phantom time, and how do they think it happened? Tune in to learn more.

Does our solar system have an extra planet?

With Pluto's recent demotion from the ranks of proper planets, the slippery definition of what is or is not a planet has revived several astronomical conspiracy theories. Learn about the most bizarre conspiracies surrounding Planet X in this episode.

Is the CFR part of a global government?

Formed in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations is one of the most influential organizations in the United States -- but who are they? Strap on your tinfoil hat and take a look at the conspiracy theories surrounding the CFR and one-world government.

Joseph Stalin and the Monkey Army

Tasked with building Stalin's new army of super soldiers, Russian scientist Dr. Ilya Ivanov attempted to breed monkeys and human beings. Learn more about humanzees -- and the people who think they already exist -- in this podcast.

Misinformation vs. Disinformation

The difference between misinformation and disinformation is one of intent: Misinformation is accidental, while disinformation is purposely spread. Tune in to learn more about propaganda techniques -- and what makes a disinfo agent -- in this episode.

Psychic Soldiers and the Cold War

Project STARGATE may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but for years taxpayer cash funded experiments with psychic powers. Tune in to learn more about the Cold War psychics -- and why some people believe these programs continue today.

Stuff They Don't Want You To Know: Android App Promo

Ben explains the new HowStuffWorks Android app.

Was Earth home to a race of giants?

Cultures across the planet have legends describing giant, human-like creatures. Usually, these stories are dismissed as folklore -- yet some people believe a race of giants did exist at some point in Earth's past. Tune in and learn more in this episode.

Were ancient empires founded by aliens?

For centuries, the achievements of the past baffled modern societies. How could ancient empires build architectural marvels like the pyramids or the Nazca lines? Tune in and learn more about the conspiracy theorists who think they've found the answer.

What happened to the hikers at Dyatlov Pass?

During the Cold War, a group of Soviet hikers disappeared in the Ural mountains. When they were finally discovered, it was clear that something had killed them -- but what, exactly? Learn more about the incident at Dyatlov's Pass in this podcast.

What is a chemtrail, exactly?

Experts agree that jet contrails are harmless, yet thousands of people think the vapors are evidence for anything from massive drug dosing to weather wars. Why? Learn more about the conspiracy theories surrounding chemtrails in this episode.

What's an energy vampire?

People have told vampire legends for thousands of years, and the monster's image has continuously changed over time. You already know that some people believe in vampires -- but what kind? Listen in and learn more about energy vampires in this episode.

What's the big deal with Wikileaks?

Wikileaks allows whistleblowers across the planet to anonymously submit reports of crime by businesses, individuals and governments. Tune in and learn why some people, including the U.S. government, want the site shut down.

Whatever happened to Project Blue Book?

For ufologists and skeptics alike, Project Blue Book had the potential to be a gold mine. Learn how the U.S. Air Force launched an official UFO investigation that spanned decades -- and why some people suspect a conspiracy -- in this episode.

Who owns the Federal Reserve?

Through the management of currency and interest, the Federal Reserve attempts to keep banks secure -- but some believe it has another purpose. Tune in and learn what conspiracy theorists think about the Fed in this episode.

Why do people think the world will end in 2012?

Thousands of people across the globe believe the world will end in 2012 -- but why? Tune in and learn more about the beliefs of 2012ers, from interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar to concerns over irregular sunspot cycles and solar storms.

Why do some people still believe Earth is flat?

Thousands of people across the planet believe that the world is flat. Why? Their 'evidence,' while not convincing, is certainly bizarre. Tune in and learn more about one of the craziest conspiracy theories on Earth in this episode.

Wilhelm Reich and Orgone Energy

Wilhelm Reich was a big fan of Freudian psychology, but he took it one step further. Tune in to learn more about Reich's alleged discovery of orgone energy -- and why some people think the US government suppressed his studies -- in this podcast.

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Are there living dinosaurs?

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