American Scandal

In the spring of 1978, reporter Mike Brown begins publishing a series of articles in the Niagara Gazette about potentially harmful chemicals leaking into the soil and water in Love Canal, a neighborhood built around what had been a dumping ground for the Hooker Chemical company. The news is a jolt to local residents, like mother Lois Gibbs, who fear for their families’ health. When government officials fail to act, Gibbs helps form a group of unlikely activists set on cleaning up their neighborhood.

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Eric O’Neill was a 27-year-old FBI surveillance operative when he first heard the name Robert Hanssen. It was the assignment of a lifetime: go undercover to bring down a mole that had been feeding secrets to the Russian government for more than two decades. O’Neill takes Lindsay behind the scenes of the operation that changed his life and led to the capture of one of the most notorious spies in American history. His book of the account is called Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America's First Cyber Spy. 

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In 2001, Robert Hanssen’s spy career comes to a crashing halt after he’s arrested in the middle of a handoff to the Russians. It’s a massive win for the FBI, but not without its own fallout. FBI director Louis Freeh still needs to explain to the American public how Hanssen was able to go undetected for so long. Meanwhile, to avoid a death sentence, Hanssen agrees to cooperate with authorities and reveal the details of his decades-long spying career. 

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By the 1990s, Robert Hanssen has been spying on and off for more than a decade. After the fall of the Soviet Union, he decides to break off contact with his Russian handlers. But his urge to spy is too great, and soon he revives his alter ego “Ramon” — unaware that a former KGB agent has just given the FBI a huge break in their effort to finally track him down.  

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Realizing there’s a spy in their midst, the FBI and CIA reluctantly agree to join forces, and launch a joint investigation to ferret out the mole. But they unwittingly put Robert Hanssen in charge of a crucial aspect of the case, enabling him to throw them off the scent as he continues selling secrets to the KGB. 

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In 1976, at the height of the Cold War, Robert Hanssen joins the FBI to work in their counterintelligence division. Hanssen is valued for his technical skills, and put in charge of databases containing some of the country’s most valuable secrets. But he’s socially awkward, and constantly passed up for promotions and field work, leaving him resentful of his employers. Soon, he decides to turn to another source of income: selling information to his country’s greatest enemy, the Soviet Union. Over the course of several decades, he’ll become one of the most damaging spies in US history. 

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Pam Davis and Bill Kottmann worked as hospital executives in the Chicago area during Governor Rod Blagojevich’s time in office. The pair unwittingly ran into the corruption surrounding “Blago” when they tried to get a permit to build a new hospital. Instead of capitulating to extortion, Pam and Bill went to the FBI. Today, these whistleblowers join Lindsay to share what it was like to wear wires and gather evidence that helped lead to the arrests of Blagojevich and his co-conspirators.

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In 2008, with his administration mired in scandal, Governor Rod Blagojevich decides to press the only advantage he has left — his authority to name President-Elect Barack Obama's successor in the U.S. Senate. But as he and his advisers discuss how to leverage the seat to his advantage, they don't know that the FBI is listening in. And soon, based on what they hear, they'll have Governor Blagojevich in handcuffs.

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Tipped off to some shady dealings on several Illinois state boards, the FBI launches an investigation into Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration. At first, they set their sights on a well-connected businessman named Stuart Levine, who seems to using his board seats to run kickback schemes. But soon, their investigation leads them all the way to Blagojevich's campaign headquarters.

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In 1999, U.S. Congressman Rod Blagojevich leans on his Serbian ancestry to insert himself into the war in Yugoslavia and get his name in the papers. And his gambit pays off, allowing him to set his sights on a new position: governor of Illinois. But the ruthless campaign fundraising tactics of Blagojevich's close adviser, Tony Rezko, will come back to haunt him.

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Two decades before he was arrested in 2008 on corruption charges while still serving as Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich got his start in the dog-eat-dog world of Chicago politics under the tutelage of his mentor and father-in-law, Richard Mell. But after winning a seat in the Illinois house, Blagojevich chafes at his nickname, "Representative Son-in-Law." He's determined to prove he's his own man - and he'll stop at nothing as he seeks higher office.

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Journalist Justin Fenton covered the Gun Trace Task Force scandal for the Baltimore Sun. He sat through the trials and heard testimony from accused cops and their victims. He reported on the ripple effects of the scandal, in the police department and in the community. And then David Simon, creator of The Wire, called and asked Fenton to write a book. Today, Lindsay speaks with Justin Fenton, author of We Own This City, which was made into an HBO limited series by the same name.

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The FBI's investigation into the Gun Trace Task Force, codenamed Broken Boundaries, finally leads to arrests. But for federal prosecutors to prove their case against these rogue cops, they need to find witnesses willing to testify against them.

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In the summer of 2016, Sergeant Wayne Jenkins gets his most prestigious assignment yet: heading up the Gun Trace Task Force, one of Baltimore’s best plainclothes units. It's the perfect cover for his increasingly illegal activities. But what Jenkins doesn't know is that the task force is already under investigation by federal authorities.

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Following a series of questionable arrests, plainclothes detective Wayne Jenkins finds himself relegated to the desk duty. But when Baltimore is roiled by protests following the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police, Jenkins seizes an opportunity to get back in the action - and bring more crooked cops into his orbit.

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In 2017, seven members of an elite Baltimore police unit called the Gun Trace Task Force were arrested and charged with robbery, extortion, fraud, and selling drugs seized during police operations. While some were quick to dismiss the arrests as a case of a few bad apples, a subsequent investigation revealed a culture of corruption within the Baltimore Police Department that had allowed rogue cops to flourish.

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The FBI gets closer to the Unabomber. But a leak to the media threatens the case. And soon, agents are forced to take action. 

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A fight erupts between Ted Kaczynski and his brother, David. And when tragedy strikes, the Kaczynski family begins to break apart.

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Ted Kaczynski falls in love. But soon, he's shocked by some news - and retreats into the wilderness in Montana. It's there that he pushes forward with a deadly bombing campaign.

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Ted Kaczynski faces a painful rejection in high school. Then he endures an abusive psychology experiment at Harvard. Kaczynski may be an academic prodigy, but he feels lonely and out of place. His solution? He's going to get revenge on modern society.

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From his meteoric rise to his epic fall from grace, Aaron Hernandez has become a cautionary tale for the NFL. Today, journalist Kevin Armstrong joins Lindsay to share his experience reporting Hernandez’s story as it unfolded, its impacts on the football world, and what has (and hasn’t) changed since. Armstrong has covered the NFL for more than a decade and executive produced the Netflix original docuseries Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez.

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After a highly publicized trial, Aaron Hernandez is found guilty for the murder of Odin Lloyd, and sentenced to life in prison. While behind bars, Hernandez makes a startling confession to his mother. But before Hernandez can appeal his conviction, a tragic turn of events leaves his family with more questions than answers.

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When a man named Odin Lloyd is shot to death in suburban Massachusetts, police are startled to discover that all clues point to star NFL player Aaron Hernandez as the shooter. But to arrest such a high-profile suspect, investigators know that their case has to be air-tight.

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After winning a national college championship with the University of Florida Gators, Aaron Hernandez realizes a lifelong dream when he's drafted into the NFL by his hometown team, the New England Patriots. Hernandez seems to have it all. But off the field, his life is taking a dark turn.

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The sports world was shocked in 2013 when Aaron Hernandez, star tight end for the New England Patriots, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. But dating back to his days as a heavily recruited college athlete, there had been signs of ominous changes in his behavior: paranoia, failed drug tests, and run-ins with the law. And after Hernandez's death, some wondered if those changes could be attributed to a neurological condition called CTE.

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Air pollution had long been a problem in Muscatine, Iowa.

For decades, a corn-processing plant had been operating in the south end of town. And according to locals, the facility’s emissions were so strong, some people gagged just by breathing in the air.

But a group of residents wouldn’t accept the status quo. And with the help of public-interest attorneys, they launched a legal battle that would redefine Muscatine.

In this interview, Scott Entin, one of the residents’ attorneys, tells the story of this long and difficult fight. And he explains how the group’s legal strategy could help address other environmental crises, including climate change.

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Soil scientist Hugh Bennett tours the Southern Plains, studying the origins of the Dust Bowl. President Roosevelt launches an ambitious program to combat the crisis.

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With the economy in free fall, farmers plow up the grasslands at a frenzied pace. When drought strikes the Southern Plains, residents confront a deadly ecological crisis.

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American farmers flock to the Southern Plains, lured by the promise of riches. Soon, a strange storm appears on the horizon.

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Rachel Bernstein is a cult expert, a marriage and family therapist, and the host of the podcast IndoctriNation. In this interview, Bernstein explains why some people are more susceptible to joining cults—and how the groups maintain a grip on their followers.

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An American congressman heads to Jonestown, to investigate claims of abuse. Jim Jones asks his followers to make their final stand.

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Jim Jones faces investigations from the press and the San Francisco city government. With pressure mounting, Jones makes a rash decision.

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A group of congregants defect from the Peoples Temple. Jim Jones begins to clamp down on dissent.

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After Jim Jones has a vision of the apocalypse, the Peoples Temple prepares to leave Indiana.

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In Indiana, a young preacher forms his own church. The goal: to spread a radical political message.

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According to Harvard law professor Alexandra Natapoff, the use of informants has the potential to undermine core values in our criminal-justice system. Natapoff, the author of "Snitching," argues that by using informants, law enforcement transforms guilt into a negotiable commodity—one that can produce tragedies.

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Abscam grows into a sprawling probe of political corruption. The FBI faces accusations of entrapment. 

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The FBI launches an operation to catch white-collar criminals. To pull off the sting, agents partner with a lifelong conman—who offers an unusual plan.

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According to recent polls, an overwhelming number of Americans now distrust our government. In one survey, some two-thirds of respondents said they believed most elected officials are corrupt. 

But is their cynicism justified?

In this interview, Lindsay chats with Richard Briffault, an expert in government ethics. Briffault discusses the murky definition of corruption, and the history of campaign finance. And he offers a blueprint to reform what many believe is a broken system.

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Watergate balloons into a crisis for the Nixon administration. Agnew faces growing pressure to step down.

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Agnew works to undermine the prosecutors’ investigation. President Nixon puts his attorney general in a difficult position.

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Prosecutors begin investigating political corruption in Baltimore County. The probe leads to a shocking discovery.

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Spiro Agnew is trapped in a dead-end job. But Agnew has large ambitions, and with the urging of his mentor, the future vice president decides to take a risk.

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Why does it suddenly seem like fentanyl is everywhere? Julie Wernau, a reporter with the Wall Street Journal, explains the history of the powerful opioid—from its origins in medicine, to its production by cartels in Mexico.

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Mike Moore, the attorney who fought Big Tobacco, takes on Purdue and the Sacklers. State officials grapple with a potential settlement. 

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Federal prosecutors begin investigating Purdue Pharma. The company turns to a team of government insiders, in an effort to combat charges.

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With addiction skyrocketing in southwestern Virginia, a small-town doctor launches a bold campaign. Purdue Pharma takes its case to the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Richard Sackler charts a new course for his family’s company, Purdue Pharma. At the center of the plan: a painkiller that could be the next blockbuster drug. 

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Just how problematic is America's system of juvenile justice? In this interview, Bill Ecenbarger, author of "Kids for Cash," explains why juvenile detention can do more harm than good—and how legal reforms in Pennsylvania could chart a course for the rest of the country.

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Federal investigators scrutinize Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan. The two judges face their own day in court.

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Mark Ciavarella doubles down on his policy of zero tolerance. Residents begin to raise questions about corruption.

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Two Pennsylvania judges hatch a plan. If they pull it off, they'll score nearly a million dollars.

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The 1960s were a period of economic prosperity. But according to historian Michael Kazin, that economic growth had a side effect, setting in motion today's culture wars.

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The Chicago Seven secure a star witness. The jury returns with a verdict.

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The Department of Justice brings charges against activists from the Chicago protests. With the trial underway, violence erupts in the courtroom.

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Protesters descend on Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. Their goal: pressure the Democrats to stop supporting the Vietnam War. But as the activists begin their rally, Chicago police mount an aggressive response.

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The U.S. has an extensive history of foreign interventions, from clandestine coups to decades-long wars. But according to political scientist Stephen Walt, it's time for a new kind of American foreign policy, one that recognizes the costs—and unintended consequences—of our campaigns abroad.

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The U.S. organizes riots in Tehran, plunging the country into crisis. Mohammad Mossadegh faces an armed insurrection.

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The CIA recruits Iran’s monarch for the mission, as agency operatives carry out a campaign of psychological warfare.

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Iran elects a new prime minister, one promising to reclaim the country’s oil industry. Sensing a threat to Western power, the U.K. and the U.S. launch a secret operation.

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In 1995, Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb in downtown Oklahoma City, in an effort to strike the federal government. Nearly 30 years later, many have begun to warn that McVeigh’s radical ideology is making a resurgence—and that social media is at least partly to blame.

In this interview, Lindsay discusses the warnings—and potential solutions—with Paul Barrett, co-author of the report “Fueling the Fire: How Social Media Intensifies U.S. Political Polarization – And What Can Be Done About It.”

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The FBI prepares to make an arrest. Bill McVeigh issues a final plea.

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Timothy McVeigh hatches a plot to attack the federal government, and begins building a bomb.

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Timothy McVeigh enlists in the military. When he returns home, he struggles to find a sense of purpose.

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An explosion rips through downtown Oklahoma City. The FBI launches a nationwide manhunt.

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Historian William Jones explains how police unions shape law enforcement in America, while potentially shielding officers from accusations of misconduct.

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An official investigation blows the whistle on Chicago PD. Jon Burge faces a day of reckoning in court.

This episode was originally released as a Wondery+ exlusive.

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Civil rights attorneys take on a risky case against Jon Burge. As they press their fight in court, an official in the police department launches an official investigation.

This episode was originally released as a Wondery+ exlusive.

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Hosted by Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart from the hit show Morbid.

When 90-year-old Laurence Pilgeram drops dead on the sidewalk outside his condo, you might think that’s the end of his story. But, really, it’s just the beginning. Because Laurence and others like him have signed up to be frozen and brought back to life in the future. And that belief will pull multiple generations of the Pilgeram family into a cryonics soap opera filled with dead pets, gold coins, grenades, fist fights, mysterious packages, family feuds, Hall of Fame baseball legends, and frozen heads — lots of frozen heads. From Wondery, comes a story about life, death, and what comes next.

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A double murder shocks the city of Chicago. As police work to solve the crime, they launch a campaign that turns violent.

This episode was originally released as a Wondery+ exlusive.

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Jon Burge is a star detective in the Chicago Police Department. He's known as a man who can crack the most difficult cases, and send the worst criminals to jail. But underneath his success is a dark secret—one that could shatter the city of Chicago.

This episode was originally released as a Wondery+ exlusive.

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John D. Rockefeller goes on the run. The U.S. Supreme Court prepares to issue a landmark decision.

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Ida Tarbell begins to investigate Standard Oil. As she digs deeper, she receives help from some unexpected sources.

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John D. Rockefeller makes a bold move, one that helps him crush his opponents. Soon, disaster strikes in Titusville, Pennsylvania. And that means it's time for Ida Tarbell to return home—and to take on Standard Oil.

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Standard Oil faces an organized resistance. But that doesn't slow down John D. Rockefeller. The oil titan continues to build his empire, and soon, some of his enemies have to make a terrible choice. They can keep fighting—and go bankrupt. Or they can team up with Rockefeller.

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John D. Rockefeller is a poor boy with a dream. He's going to become a businessman. And he's going to be wildly rich. Soon, he stumbles on the product that will seal his fate: oil. Thick, crude oil is gushing from the ground across America. It's creating boomtowns—and a new economy. Rockefeller begins to conquer the industry, but he quickly makes enemies, including a young woman who will challenge Rockefeller's growing empire.

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The journalist Sarah Weinman digs into the history of true crime. Weinman, the author of "Scoundrel" and "The Real Lolita," also explains why the genre has continued to soar in popularity.

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Patricia Hearst reunites with her family. Federal prosecutors navigate a trial that's become a national sensation.

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With the SLA in tatters, Patricia Hearst goes on the run. The FBI gets an unusual tip, one that promises a breakthrough.

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Patricia Hearst confronts a deadly new reality. The Hearst family tries to strike a deal with the SLA.

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Media heiress Patricia Hearst moves to Berkeley, intent on building a new life. In Oakland, a group of political radicals plot a deadly attack.

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War is raging in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made veiled—and not-so-veiled—threats about the use of nuclear weapons. And with President Joe Biden warning of the potential for "armageddon," many have begun asking a troubling question: Is this the beginning of a new Cold War?

In this interview, Lindsay talks with historian Norman Naimark, author of the book "Stalin and the Fate of Europe." Naimark explains how we got to this moment in Ukraine—and the lessons we can draw from the Cold War.

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An American pilot comes under attack. With nuclear war on the horizon, Kennedy and Khrushchev race to pull off a secret deal.

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Nikita Khrushchev threatens to launch a nuclear strike. An American spy plane flies a risky mission.

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The CIA discovers evidence of a growing threat in Cuba. President Kennedy plans a limited military response, in an effort to prevent war.

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The Soviets stage a covert operation to distract the U.S. But an American spy plane makes a surprise discovery, and tensions quickly escalate.

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Fidel Castro seizes power in Cuba. President Kennedy authorizes a coup, but sets in motion an unexpected chain of events.

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Matthew Guariglia is a historian who studies surveillance and policing. In this conversation with Lindsay, Guariglia argues that online platforms like Nextdoor have created a new form of mass surveillance, one that threatens local communities.

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Edward Snowden tries to flee to Ecuador. But the Obama administration counters with a surprise move, leaving Snowden trapped in Russia. 

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Laura Poitras and Glenn Greenwald prepare to break their story. Edward Snowden goes on the run.

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Edward Snowden lands a job with the NSA. But when he stumbles on a shocking government secret, Snowden has to face a moral dilemma.

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Filmmaker Laura Poitras gets a tip from a mysterious informant. Despite the enormous risks, Poitras pursues the story, and teams up with reporter Glenn Greenwald.

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While we used many sources in creating this season, key elements of the story were drawn from the book Exposure by Robert Bilott. We highly recommend it. You can buy the book here:

https://bit.ly/3yUa7y6

Lindsay chats with Robert Bilott, the attorney who took on DuPont, and the author of the book "Exposure." The two discuss the dangerous chemicals that have found their way into consumer products. And they look at the steps the government is taking to protect our health.

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While we used many sources in creating this season, key elements of the story were drawn from the book Exposure by Robert Bilott. We highly recommend it. You can buy the book here: https://bit.ly/3yUa7y6

DuPont strikes back in court. As the battle intensifies, Robert Bilott faces a crisis that threatens his life.

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While we used many sources in creating this season, key elements of the story were drawn from the book Exposure by Robert Bilott. We highly recommend it. You can buy the book here: https://bit.ly/3yUa7y6

Earl Tennant's case comes to a close. Robert Bilott faces an agonizing choice, as he confronts the magnitude of DuPont's pollution.

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While we used many sources in creating this season, key elements of the story were drawn from the book Exposure by Robert Bilott. We highly recommend it. You can buy the book here: https://bit.ly/3yUa7y6

A devastating plague strikes a cattle farm in West Virginia. As he investigates the mystery, an attorney uncovers a secret that threatens a corporate empire.

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Eric Benson is a senior editor at the magazine Texas Monthly. In 2018, Benson wrote a series of articles that helped shed new light on the tragedy at Mount Carmel. He and Lindsay discuss how the event still shapes American life today.

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The Branch Davidians prepare to surrender. But their plan unravels when they face the FBI, which is under intense pressure to get quick results.

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The Branch Davidians remain locked in a tense standoff with the federal government. And with the FBI now in charge, negotiators try to secure a peaceful surrender. But the FBI—and the Davidians—face a major obstacle: the always-unpredictable David Koresh.

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The federal government prepares for a raid at Mount Carmel. But a chance encounter eliminates the element of surprise—and sets the course for a massive battle between federal forces and David Koresh's community.

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Looking for the DuPont Chemical Cover-up season? We had to unpublish the DuPont series for the time being but hope to release these episodes in a new season in the near future. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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The Branch Davidians are accused of child abuse and stashing illegal firearms. With a federal investigation now underway, paranoia grows at Mount Carmel. And a government raid appears imminent.

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Vernon Howell faces criminal charges in court. And soon, his followers begin to turn against him—fueling his paranoia, and setting the stage for his fateful standoff against the U.S. government.

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In 1993, a massive conflict erupts in rural Texas. The federal government launches a siege against the Branch Davidians, a religious group based in the outskirts of Waco. What follows is the longest firefight in the history of American law enforcement. And it’s a battle that ends in tragedy. But the standoff has its genesis years before. It’s then that Vernon Howell comes looking for a new religious community to call home. He finds it with the Branch Davidians, and soon, he begins working to seize power.

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In this interview, Lindsay sits down with Kathryn Olmsted, a historian who's written extensively about Watergate. The two discuss how Watergate was a turning point in American life. And Olmsted reveals why the scandal helped give rise to a new generation of conspiracy theories.

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President Nixon fights the release of his secret tapes. But with the country thrust into a constitutional crisis, Nixon has to make a gut-wrenching decision.

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A Senate hearing sets in motion a new crisis. With the cover-up unraveling, White House counsel John Dean takes matters into his own hands.

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Woodward and Bernstein uncover a shocking revelation about President Nixon's chief of staff. But when their story is published, the reporters find themselves backed into a corner.

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The Washington Post begins investigating a mysterious crime. President Nixon confronts a crisis.

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President Nixon’s reelection campaign hatches a plan. It's dangerous and risky. But it could secure a victory in the upcoming election.

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Should members of Congress be allowed to trade stocks? It's a question that legislators are debating right now, in the wake of a searing investigation from the publication Insider. In this interview, Lindsay chats with Dave Levinthal, Insider's deputy Washington Bureau chief. They discuss some of the shocking discoveries from Levinthal’s reporting. And they consider whether Congress might be willing to pass new, sweeping legislation.

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Prosecutors race against the clock, as they prepare to go to trial. Two former SAC traders must decide whether to cooperate—or stay silent.

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The FBI builds its case against Steven Cohen. With his back against the wall, Cohen has to make a difficult decision.

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FBI Agent BJ Kang gets a promising tip from an informant. Mathew Martoma, a trader at SAC Capital, goes on a hunt for inside information.

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Steven Cohen wants to escape his small life on Long Island. The destination in sight: Wall Street.

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Lindsay chats with David Farber, a historian who studies America's war on drugs. The two discuss the controversial origins of the decades-long campaign. And they look at some recent developments that may point to a different future.

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Annie Dookhan faces a day of reckoning. The Massachusetts criminal justice system is thrown into disarray.

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Annie Dookhan's colleagues suspect foul play, and begin a covert investigation of the lab's star chemist. To avoid scrutiny, Dookhan sets in motion a desperate ploy.

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Annie Dookhan lands a dream job, testing illegal drugs at a government lab. But facing intense pressure, Dookhan soon wades into criminal territory herself.

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Keith Ham’s chief enforcer is summoned back to New Vrindaban for a mission. He enlists the help of a friend of the commune who turns informer. Steve Bryant goes into hiding. Deputy Westfall works with the state police to finally make some arrests. But will he be able to bring down Keith Ham?

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Steve Bryant is forced out of the commune at gunpoint and heads to California, where he finds evidence that the Gurus are frauds. Berkeley Temple Leader Hansadutta has a meltdown that lands him in jail. An attempt to start a Guru Reform movement divides the movement and leads to death threats. A devotee attacks Keith Ham.

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When a devotee in West Virginia goes missing, his wife suspects murder. Deputy Westfall is thwarted by the DA when he tries to take action. Keith flexes his muscles and expands his power over New Vrindaban.

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When the Swami dies, eleven senior disciples declare themselves gurus and take control of the movement. In Berkeley, Hansadutta grows fearful and starts amassing an arsenal of weapons. In West Virginia, Keith Ham finishes constructing his palace of gold. When new devotees with records for violent crime join the commune, Deputy Westfall is alarmed. A drug smuggling operation at the Krishna Temple in Laguna Beach ends in murder when temple leaders pair up with ex-mafia informants.

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When devotees at the NYC temple confront Keith Ham, he decides to found a commune of his own in West Virginia. Krishnas in temples across the country come up with illegal ways to raise money for the group, including drug dealing and money scams.

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An elderly swami from India captures the zeitgeist of 1960s counterculture in America, with his message of peace and love. But his western disciples are hungry for power, and one of his most trusted devotees betrays him.

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President Nixon sets in motion a secret campaign to destroy Daniel Ellsberg. With his trial underway, Ellsberg faces a moment of reckoning.

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Daniel Ellsberg makes a fateful decision. America's journalists find themselves in a heated battle with President Nixon.

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Daniel Ellsberg begins meeting with anti-war activists. With his beliefs shifting, Ellsberg considers whether to take more decisive action.

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A war in Vietnam is on the horizon, as Daniel Ellsberg begins a new job at the Department of Defense. But after seeing the conflict in person, Ellsberg learns a terrible truth—one that forces him to take drastic action.

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Monica Lewinsky testifies against President Clinton. The Senate conducts a politically charged impeachment trial.

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Monica Lewinsky suffers a terrible betrayal. As she tries to protect the president, a national scandal erupts.

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A White House official grows suspicious of Monica Lewinsky, and has her transferred to the Pentagon. At the new job, Lewinsky makes a friend with a hidden agenda.

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Monica Lewinsky struggles to build a life on the West Coast. But soon, she gets a chance to start over, and takes a prestigious internship at the White House.

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In this interview, Lindsay chats with David Owen, the author of 'Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River.' The two explore how water scarcity is a mounting issue out West—one that affects the entire country. And they consider some of the solutions that could help curb the growing crisis. 

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The fighting grows fierce between Inyo County and Los Angeles. But when LA's aqueduct is taken hostage, William Mulholland makes a fateful decision that threatens a disaster.

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William Mulholland pushes ahead with LA's aqueduct. But when the people of Inyo County learn the truth, they begin preparing for war.

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William Mulholland climbs to the top of the water department. But once he's there, he learns that Los Angeles has a terrible secret, one that could destroy the city.

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Lindsay sits down with Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covers the tech industry. The two explore why venture capitalists work to create monopolies, and whether these powerful investors bear responsibility for the failures at Theranos.

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An investigative journalist looks into Theranos, and is shocked by his discoveries. Elizabeth Holmes tries to fend off the potentially devastating story.

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Theranos prepares to go public with its blood-testing devices. But the company faces increased scrutiny, as problems with its technology—and its leadership—add up.

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Elizabeth Holmes has an idea that could revolutionize medicine—and make her very rich. But first, she'll need to find investors and put together a company.

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Lindsay sits down with Heather Ann Thompson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Blood in the Water, which tells the history of Attica. Thompson discusses the troubling aftermath of the uprising, when New York’s government took back control of the prison. And she reveals how, for decades, the state has worked to suppress the truth about its siege.

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The inmates receive a final threat, as the state demands their surrender. Governor Rockefeller makes a fateful decision.

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An unexpected death upends the negotiations. As both sides dig in their heels, the hope for a peaceful resolution begins to fade.

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Negotiators enter the prison, and attempt to bring an end to the uprising. But the prisoners make a demand that proves to be a major obstacle.

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The Attica Correctional Facility is a notoriously brutal prison, where beatings are commonplace, and prisoners work for pennies. Tensions have begun to boil over, and after a guard and inmate get into a fight, the maximum-security prison is pushed to the brink.

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A federal task force is formed to bring Enron’s corrupt executives to justice. Sherron Watkins arrives in Washington to participate in congressional hearings and struggles to process the staggering costs of Enron’s downfall.  

This episode originally aired on September 24, 2019.

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The Wall Street Journal works to expose the shady financial deals key to Enron’s success. With his company pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, Ken Lay engages in a desperate ploy to avert disaster.

This episode originally aired on September 17, 2019.

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Ken Lay fights to restore public confidence in Enron as the bad publicity mounts and the stock price continues to fall. Sherron Watkins is encouraged when an internal review of company practices is launched, but stunned when it appears to backfire.

This episode originally aired on September 10, 2019.

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Enron manipulates California's electricity market, and the state is plunged into an energy crisis. But Enron itself is threatened by the schemes of a corrupt CFO, a rocky transition of power, and an alarming discovery by Sherron Watkins.

This episode originally aired on September 3, 2019.

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In the mid-1990s, Enron Corporation solidifies its position as the top energy company in America. Investment manager Sherron Watkins lands a dream job at Enron, but quickly learns that its office culture and accounting practices make it a treacherous place to work.

This episode originally aired on August 27, 2019.

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Today, we're far from Walter Freeman and his ice pick lobotomies. But there are growing concerns about a new form of brain surgery that sounds like science fiction. The surgery involves devices known as neural implants, which connect the brain directly to computers. In this interview, Lindsay talks with Chris Kenneally, a science journalist and author. The two discuss the remarkable benefits of neural implants—as well as the deep fears they're already raising.

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A woman's body is found at the bottom of a gorge. It belongs to a member of the Osage Nation, a tribe that's grown incredibly wealthy from oil. When the victim's sister goes looking for answers, she begins to uncover a shocking conspiracy, one that puts her life in danger.

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President Kennedy signs a bill that transforms mental healthcare in America. With his legacy on the line, Walter Freeman begins a desperate—and dangerous—quest to redeem the lobotomy.

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Walter Freeman goes public with his ice pick lobotomies. But that earns him new enemies—including some who are determined to stop him.

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Walter Freeman and James Watts begin to experiment with the lobotomy. But their partnership is tested when a high-profile patient suffers disastrous results.

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Walter Freeman is devastated when he learns the truth about mental asylums. The medical care is barbaric, and for patients, everyday life is a nightmare. So Freeman begins searching for an alternative. It's a quest that leads him to one of the most controversial procedures in medical history.

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The press has a long, troubled relationship with celebrities, from Marilyn Monroe, to Tupac Shakur, to Britney Spears. The paparazzi are often relentless, and media coverage can be vicious. Which raises a question: Does the press bear responsibility for celebrities' meltdowns? In this special interview, Lindsay chats with Jake Brennan, an expert on the topic, and the host of the podcast "Disgraceland."

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Floyd Landis goes public about performance-enhancing drugs. Lance Armstrong struggles to contain the fallout, as the truth comes out.

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Greg LeMond struggles to find allies in his fight against Lance Armstrong. Floyd Landis is caught in a difficult position, one that forces him to take a big risk.

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Lance Armstrong becomes an icon around the world. But when a former cycling legend begins asking questions about doping, Armstrong goes on the attack. 

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Lance Armstrong enters the cutthroat world of professional cycling. But after a string of humiliating losses, he's left searching for a new way to win.

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Joseph McCarthy was one of the most consequential politicians in American history. He upended Washington, and even influenced foreign policy for years to come. In this interview, Lindsay chats with Larry Tye, the author of Demagogue, a biography of McCarthy. The two discuss the early stages of the Red Scare, which laid the foundation for McCarthy’s rise. Tye also reveals why McCarthy was able to grow so powerful—and so popular.

To learn more, check out Larry's book, Demagogue: The Life and Long Shadow of Senator Joe McCarthy here.

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Accusations emerge that Joseph McCarthy blackmailed the military. He faces investigations in the Senate, and a potentially devastating outcome.

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Joseph McCarthy searches for communist infiltrators in the U.S. government. He lands on a big target, one that earns him a formidable enemy.

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Joseph McCarthy gets help from powerful allies in Washington. As McCarthy’s influence grows, other senators weigh the political cost of challenging him.

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Joseph McCarthy dreams of a bigger life. He wants something beyond the farms of Wisconsin, something more important than cornfields and local disputes. He wants political power in Washington, D.C. And he has a plan to get it.

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Bernie Madoff conned some of the smartest people in the world, from savvy investors to famous artists. All the while, he deceived government regulators. So how did he fool so many people, and for so long? Diana Henriques is a journalist and author who's written extensively about Madoff. In this interview, she describes what made him such a successful con man. And she warns about the possibility of another Bernie Madoff.

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The U.S. economy begins to fall apart. So Bernie Madoff takes a risk, and makes a fateful decision about his Ponzi scheme. 

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A financial analyst raises red flags about Bernie Madoff's record. Madoff faces an investigation from the SEC. 

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Bernie Madoff is young and broke. And he's hungry for a big paycheck. So he sets out for Wall Street. But a market crash forces him to make a difficult decision, one that will haunt him for years.

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For decades, the U.S. has led covert campaigns abroad. These campaigns—spearheaded by the CIA, among others—have shaped the balance of power in the world. The U.S. has even helped topple foreign governments. In this new interview, Lindsay chats with Stephen Kinzer, an author who's written extensively about America's foreign policy, and the way our government's actions have had unintended consequences.

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Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh sets his sights on the White House and tries to answer the question everyone has been asking: Exactly how much did President Reagan know and when did he know it?

This episode originally aired on December 24, 2018.

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Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh is called to D.C. to investigate Iran-Contra and bring those responsible to justice. But what he discovers will shake his political allegiances, and drive a wedge through the heart of the country. 

This episode originally aired on December 18, 2018.

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When the story breaks that senior U.S. government officials secretly traded arms for hostages, Congress and the American people demand answers. Chief of Staff Don Regan and Attorney General Ed Meese begin building a wall around the President.  

This episode originally December 11, 2018.

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Two of Reagan’s top priorities are in jeopardy: American hostages are still in the hands of terrorists, and the Contras are losing their fight against the Sandinistas. In early 1986, the two operations merge. In the middle of it all is Lieutenant Colonel Ollie North.

This episode originally aired on December 4, 2018.

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In July of 1985, the National Security Advisor to President Reagan, Robert “Bud” McFarlane, puts a plan in motion that could change the course of history and turn the Reagan administration upside down.  

This episode originally aired on November 27, 2018.

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Ted Kaczynski warned that technology was crushing the human spirit—and harming the planet. Since 1995, when his manifesto was published, Kaczynski has gained a large number of followers. John H. Richardson, a journalist and author, corresponded with Kaczynski, and joins Lindsay to discuss the wide-reaching influence of Kaczynski's ideas. 

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The FBI gets closer to the Unabomber. But a leak to the media threatens the case. And soon, agents are forced to take action. 

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A fight erupts between Ted Kaczynski and his brother, David. And when tragedy strikes, the Kaczynski family begins to break apart.

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Ted Kaczynski falls in love. But soon, he's shocked by some news—and retreats into the wilderness in Montana. It's there that he pushes forward with a deadly bombing campaign.

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Ted Kaczynski faces a painful rejection in high school. Then he endures an abusive psychology experiment at Harvard. Kaczynski may be an academic prodigy, but he feels lonely and out of place. His solution? He's going to get revenge on modern society.

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In 1979, disco was a dominant force in American music. It took the top spots in the Billboard charts, and sold countless records. But with its culturally diverse audience, disco faced a major backlash. And that would lead to a crisis one evening in July of 1979, when a promotional event at a baseball game turned into a riot. Vince Lawrence was at that game, and has since become a music producer and documentary filmmaker. He and Lindsay discuss the meaning of that infamous night, and how disco’s legacy is still with us today, in music and in culture.

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Trailer for Vince Lawrence's film "Legacy": https://twitter.com/i/status/1321898855546429440

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From the mid-1950s to the early '70s, the FBI employed a secret program known as COINTELPRO. It aimed to disrupt a wide range of social activism, from anti-war protests, to the fight for racial justice. At the time, Clayborne Carson was on the front lines of the battles for civil rights. He’d go on to become the founding director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, at Stanford University. He and Lindsay sit down to discuss the FBI's investigations of civil rights leaders. They also discuss how those events echo what's happening now between law enforcement and activists.

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Antiwar activists hatch a risky plan. Led by a physics professor, the group decides to burglarize an FBI office. The goal: to find incriminating documents, and to expose decades of federal abuses.

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Fred Hampton is a rising star in the civil rights movement. But when he challenges police brutality, he finds that his life is suddenly threatened.

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The FBI goes after Martin Luther King, Jr., after the civil rights leader calls for an end to racial injustice. The bureau begins to spy on King—and forces him to make an impossible decision.

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Billie Holiday makes a decision. The jazz singer will perform "Strange Fruit," the protest song about lynchings, no matter what happens to her—and no matter how many times law enforcement tells her to stay quiet. But that puts her in the crosshairs of one federal official, who uses any means necessary to silence Holiday.

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It's been over 40 years since the crisis unfolded at Three Mile Island. But the nuclear accident still lingers with us today, as the United States confronts new public health emergencies. At the time of the accident, Peter Bradford was a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He joins Lindsay to discuss what went wrong at Three Mile Island; who was responsible for the crisis; and how nuclear power could play a larger role in the future, as the world looks to fight climate change.

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A large bubble of hydrogen emerges in the nuclear reactor, threatening to cause a catastrophic explosion. President Carter dispatches an envoy. The goal: to get control of the crisis. And Pennsylvania's leaders face a big moment, as they decide whether to evacuate the region.

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When politics intervene, the engineers at Three Mile Island find themselves up against a wall. Mike Pintek airs a stunning interview on the radio, and causes a panic. And Bill Scranton tries to restore calm to the shaken residents of Pennsylvania.

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On March 28, 1979, Bill Zewe hears an alarm at Three Mile Island. Something has gone terribly wrong at the nuclear power plant, in southern Pennsylvania. And now, the operators at the plant must move fast—before a crisis engulfs the region. 

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The United States is home to a large number of big businesses, from entertainment conglomerates to the giants of tech. Increasingly, members of the public and politicians are raising concerns about these companies—and the power that they wield. Chris Sagers, a law professor at Cleveland State University, joins Lindsay to discuss monopolies in the U.S., both in the past and the present. The two also discuss how the current, heated debates about big business may play out.

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John D. Rockefeller is on the run. His company is under assault from state and federal lawsuits, and now, Rockefeller is moving from house to house, doing whatever he can to avoid a courtroom. But soon enough, his fate will be decided for him. Because the U.S. Supreme Court is about to issue a landmark decision.

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Ida Tarbell begins to investigate Standard Oil. And as she digs deeper, she receives help from some unexpected sources. Soon, John D. Rockefeller learns that his deepest secrets could come spilling out into the light.

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John D. Rockefeller makes a bold move, one that helps him crush his opponents. Soon, disaster strikes in Titusville, Pennsylvania. And that means it's time for Ida Tarbell to return home—and to take on Standard Oil.

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Standard Oil faces an organized resistance. But that doesn't slow down John D. Rockefeller. The oil titan continues to build his empire, and soon, some of his enemies have to make a terrible choice. They can keep fighting—and go bankrupt. Or they can team up with Rockefeller.

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John D. Rockefeller is a poor boy with a dream. He's going to become a businessman. And he's going to be wildly rich. Soon, he stumbles on the product that will seal his fate: oil. Thick, crude oil is gushing from the ground across America. It's creating boomtowns—and a new economy. Rockefeller begins to conquer the industry, but he quickly makes enemies, including a young woman who will challenge Rockefeller's growing empire.

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It's been over 20 years since a major settlement forced the tobacco industry to reform—and pay billions of dollars for its mistakes. Still, despite a sea change in the public’s attitude toward smoking, the tobacco industry remains strong. And it continues to win over new customers. Annice Kim, a public health expert, joins Lindsay to discuss the explosion in e-cigarettes’ popularity, and the ways in which companies now use social media to sell these products.

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Jeffrey Wigand steps into the national spotlight. But with all the attention, he now faces a very real threat. The tobacco industry could launch its most vicious counterattack. Or, if Mike Moore has his way, Big Tobacco may waive the flag of surrender.

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Mike Moore files a landmark lawsuit. Jeffrey Wigand comes under attack. And the producers of 60 Minutes face a major roadblock, as they try to tell the story about Big Tobacco.

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A group of ambitious lawyers builds a case against Big Tobacco. But first, they'll need to convince the whistleblowers to speak up.

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Merrell Williams stumbles on a terrible secret, one that's been hidden for decades. Jeffrey Wigand starts a new job with the tobacco industry, only to come face to face with a bitter truth. Soon, both will have to make a choice that could put them in danger.

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Dan Murphy is a staff writer with ESPN. He’s been covering the changing landscape in college sports, in which athletes could soon make money from endorsements. He and Lindsay discuss the wide-reaching effects of a recent proposal, and look at the history of scandals in the NCAA.

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The FBI investigates the ties between Boston College basketball players and Jimmy Burke’s crime ring. As the point-shaving trial gets underway, the athletes discover there’s a larger game being played—and they’re the pawns. 

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Pressure mounts as the mafia starts pouring money into the betting scheme. But the players begin to crack, and mobsters start disappearing. And soon, the FBI launches its pursuit.

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Criminals in Pittsburgh have a plan. It involves gambling and manipulating the scores of college basketball games. But to pull it off, they'll first need some help from the basketball players themselves.

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The fishermen run a blockade. Alyeska Pipeline goes to extremes to root out a mole. Exxon and the fishermen face off in court. 

Photos of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill can be found here

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After Captain Hazelwood’s arrest, Exxon tries to clean up its public image. President Bush tells Exxon to pick up the pace on the cleanup. Fisherman Riki Ott takes on Big Oil in the Alaska State Legislature.

Photos of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill can be found here

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The fishermen find that damage from the spill is even worse than expected, while a winter storm destroys Exxon’s plans for a quick cleanup. Captain Hazelwood disappears.

Photos of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill can be found here.

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A supertanker carrying 53 million gallons of crude oil runs aground in Prince William Sound sparking the worst man-made ecological catastrophe in the country’s history at the time. As Exxon struggles to get the cleanup underway, fishermen worry that this is the end of life as they know it

Links to recommended reading:

Not One Drop by Riki Ott

Out of the Channel by John Keeble

The Spill: Personal Stories from the Exxon Valdez Disaster

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Eric Benson is a senior editor at the magazine Texas Monthly. In 2018, Benson wrote a series of articles that helped shed new light on the tragedy at Mount Carmel. He and Lindsay discuss how the event still shapes American life today.

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The Branch Davidians prepare to surrender. But their plan unravels when they face the FBI, which is under intense pressure to get quick results.

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The Branch Davidians remain locked in a tense standoff with the federal government. And with the FBI now in charge, negotiators try to secure a peaceful surrender. But the FBI—and the Davidians—face a major obstacle: the always-unpredictable David Koresh.

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The federal government prepares for a raid at Mount Carmel. But a chance encounter eliminates the element of surprise—and sets the course for a massive battle between federal forces and David Koresh's community.

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The Branch Davidians are accused of child abuse and stashing illegal firearms. With a federal investigation now underway, paranoia grows at Mount Carmel. And a government raid appears imminent.

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Vernon Howell faces criminal charges in court. And soon, his followers begin to turn against him—fueling his paranoia, and setting the stage for his fateful standoff against the U.S. government.

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In 1993, a massive conflict erupts in rural Texas. The federal government launches a siege against the Branch Davidians, a religious group based in the outskirts of Waco. What follows is the longest firefight in the history of American law enforcement. And it’s a battle that ends in tragedy. But the standoff has its genesis years before. It’s then that Vernon Howell comes looking for a new religious community to call home. He finds it with the Branch Davidians, and soon, he begins working to seize power.

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Brett Gary is a professor at NYU who studies media and American culture, and focuses on the public battles over censorship. He joins Lindsay to discuss the enduring influence of Lenny Bruce and the comedian’s obscenity trial.

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Lenny Bruce faces a terrifying moment, when his health takes a sudden downturn. But a recent Supreme Court case lifts his spirits, and raises the prospects that he'll triumph over his own legal troubles. The trial winds down, and soon, the verdict is in.

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In the 1960s, Lenny Bruce was a trailblazing standup comedian who took aim at American culture. Bruce clashed frequently with law enforcement, but his decisive legal battle began in 1964. Bruce faced obscenity charges over one of his performances. He also faced a criminal-justice system bent on silencing an outspoken social critic.

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Cynthia Giles was a senior official at the Environmental Protection Agency. She helped negotiate a major settlement with Volkswagen, as the automaker faced fallout from its diesel emissions scandal. She joins Lindsay and tells behind-the-scenes stories from the scandal.

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Federal prosecutors kick into high gear, and soon, VW executives meet their fate. Meanwhile, Matthias Müller faces his own changing fortune, as company insiders initiate a power play. It's the beginning of a new era for Volkswagen.

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Martin Winterkorn takes a drastic step, as Volkswagen faces withering criticism. U.S. officials prepare their case against the automaker. And VW struggles to defend itself, as drivers file a blizzard of lawsuits.

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Alberto Ayala fights to get the truth from Volkswagen. But the carmaker stonewalls the government—again and again. That is, until a VW employee offers a shocking confession, and sets the course for a massive fight.

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In 2006, Volkswagen executive Martin Winterkorn hatches a plan to boost auto sales in America. The way to do it? Clean diesel cars. But VW's engineers run into a wall, and so they take a troubling shortcut—one that a group of graduate students will inadvertently expose.

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Washington, D.C., erupted in a political firestorm in 2003, after Valerie Plame’s identity was revealed to the public. Host Lindsay Graham talks with Matthew Cooper, a journalist who covered the story for Time magazine. Cooper also became part of the story, when he was held in contempt of court for refusing to name the sources who disclosed Plame’s identity to him.

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Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson make a surprising announcement. Scooter Libby faces a day of reckoning in court, and Patrick Fitzgerald’s case comes to an end.

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The Bush administration comes under investigation for its role in the Plame leak. Meanwhile, Valerie Plame begins receiving alarming threats, which put a strain on her career and personal life. New York Times reporter Judith Miller faces an agonizing choice about her role in the leak.

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In 2003, America is at war with Iraq, as part of its global campaign on terror. Former diplomat Joe Wilson sharply criticizes the war, making him an enemy of the White House. Payback is swift, but the crosshairs are aimed at someone else: Wilson’s wife, covert CIA agent Valerie Plame.

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Host Lindsay Graham talks with Alex Gibney, director of “Client 9,” a documentary that examines the rise and fall of Eliot Spitzer.

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Preet Bharara investigates Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos. The explosive trials and the aftermath. 

Links to NY Times articles mentioned:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/04/nyregion/sheldon-silver-trial-highlights.html

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/19/nyregion/dean-and-adam-skelos-trial-highlights.html

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Governor Cuomo tries to stamp out corruption with an independent commission who deals with interference from unexpected places. Attorney Preet Bharara lasers in on the committee’s findings.

Links to NY Times articles mentioned:

The Many Faces of New York’s Political Scandals:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/23/nyregion/23moreland-commission-and-new-york-political-scandals.html?_r=0

NY Times article about Moreland Commission:

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/23/nyregion/governor-andrew-cuomo-and-the-short-life-of-the-moreland-commission.html

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Troopergate explodes. Governor Spitzer finds himself embroiled in a scandal. Senator Bruno is investigated by the FBI.

If you enjoyed American History Tellers, be sure to check out Lindsay Graham’s other shows, American History Tellers and American Elections: Wicked Game. 

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In 2006, Eliot Spitzer is elected governor on a promise to tackle corruption in the most dysfunctional state capital in the country--Albany, NY. He is quickly challenged by one of the most powerful men in the state. Will the governor change Albany or will Albany change him?

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A federal task force is formed to bring Enron’s corrupt executives to justice. Sherron Watkins arrives in Washington to participate in congressional hearings and struggles to process the staggering costs of Enron’s downfall.  

For the next few weeks, American Scandal will be taking a short break while Lindsay Graham hosts an important mini-series on the Jeffrey Epstein story. Subscribe today at wondery.fm/TMME

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The Wall Street Journal works to expose the shady financial deals key to Enron’s success. With his company pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, Ken Lay engages in a desperate ploy to avert disaster.

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Ken Lay fights to restore public confidence in Enron as the bad publicity mounts and the stock price continues to fall. Sherron Watkins is encouraged when an internal review of company practices is launched, but stunned when it appears to backfire.

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Enron manipulates California's electricity market for financial gain, and the state is plunged into an energy crisis. Meanwhile, the schemes of a corrupt CFO, a rocky transition of power, and an alarming discovery by Sherron Watkins, threaten to tear the company apart.

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In the mid 1990s, Enron Corporation solidifies its position as the number one energy company in America. Investment manager Sherron Watkins lands a dream job there, but quickly learns that Enron's office culture and accounting practices make it a treacherous place to work. 

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