Timesuck with Dan Cummins

A fast-paced retelling of the Haitian Revolution, focusing on the massive slave uprising that toppled a plantation empire. Scenes of coordinated burnings, battlefield genius, and shifting alliances. The rise of Toussaint Louverture, brutal French reprisals, and Dessalines' push for independence. A look at the violent aftermath and the global consequences of Haiti's birth.

A deep dive into a New Zealand communal religious settlement that promised paradise but enforced strict uniforms, unpaid labor, and rigid rituals. The story traces the founder’s rise to power, creeping sexual control, and systemic abuse across generations. It also covers investigations, trials, financial fallout, and how survivors and authorities responded.

A chilling dive into the lives and backgrounds of two people who formed a destructive partnership. The story traces their meeting, manipulation, and escalation from grooming to abduction. It follows the investigations, unsettling physical evidence, and recoveries on the moors. The narrative closes with the trial, prison confessions, and lingering unanswered questions.

A wide-ranging look at how the U.S. healthcare system became costly and convoluted. Short histories show how employer coverage, the AMA, and wartime policies shaped today's patchwork. Deep dives into pricing tactics, insurance mechanics, and opaque drug rebates reveal why bills spiral. International comparisons highlight alternative systems and the political and financial barriers to big change.

A revisiting of the 2006 Duke lacrosse scandal and how a rush to judgment overwhelmed due process. Examination of DNA evidence, problematic police and prosecutorial procedures, and campus outrage that fueled the narrative. Coverage of the collapse of the case, legal fallout, later lives of the accused, and the accuser's subsequent admissions and criminal troubles.

Discover the chilling story of Jennifer Pan, a model daughter turned murderer, as her elaborate web of lies unravels. Explore the intense pressure from her immigrant parents that fueled her deception, and how a failed murder plot ended in tragedy. Delve into the recruitment of hitmen and the shocking details of the crime night, including police interviews revealing her inconsistent statements. The narrative shifts to the trial's drama, examining the themes of accountability, parenting, and the haunting consequences of deceit.

A chilling tale unfolds as a young girl is abducted from her home by a man driven by delusions of grandeur. The podcast dives into the chaotic life of her captor, examining his troubled past and the unhealthy relationships that shaped him. It describes the harrowing experience of the victim and the immense search efforts that captivated the nation. Hear about Elizabeth's dramatic rescue and her inspiring journey of recovery and advocacy. The discussion sheds light on the dangers of fringe beliefs and the resilience of survivors.

Dive into the chaotic Milk Wars of the 1930s, where milk transformed into a battleground for survival and power. Discover how the Great Depression fueled violence, from riots to Mafia involvement, as farmers fought to protect their livelihoods. Explore the rise of home delivery and the swill milk scandal that shook consumer trust. Learn about the intense regional strikes and confrontations in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and how the industry’s corporatization led to deadly clashes. This forgotten history reveals just how fiercely Americans would fight for their dairy.

In 1946, Texarkana was terrorized by a masked serial killer known as the Phantom Killer. The podcast explores the brutal murders that struck the town, focusing on chilling details like the Lover's Lane attacks and the flawed investigation that followed. Dan discusses the panic that seized the community, the involvement of Texas Ranger 'Lone Wolf' Gonzalez, and the various suspects, especially UL Swinney, whose life after conviction raises more questions than answers. The legacy of fear and intrigue lingers in Texarkana's history.

The year-end inspirational Timesuck is here! We wrap up 2025 with the incredible true story of Chris Gardner — a man who survived poverty, abuse, foster care, and homelessness (along with his toddler son) before becoming a multimillionaire stockbroker and global philanthropist. If he could rise from that kind of hardship to build a life of purpose and generosity, what might the rest of us be capable of overcoming?Merch and more: www.badmagicproductions.com Timesuck Discord! https://discord.gg/tqzH89vWant to join the Cult of the Curious PrivateFacebook Group? Go directly to Facebook and search for "Cult of the Curious" to locate whatever happens to be our most current page :)For all merch-related questions/problems: store@badmagicproductions.com (copy and paste)Please rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and elsewhere and follow the suck on social media!! @timesuckpodcast on IG and http://www.facebook.com/timesuckpodcastWanna become a Space Lizard? Click here: https://www.patreon.com/timesuckpodcast.Sign up through Patreon, and for $5 a month, you get access to the entire Secret Suck catalog (295 episodes) PLUS the entire catalog of Timesuck, AD FREE. You'll also get 20% off of all regular Timesuck merch PLUS access to exclusive Space Lizard merch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.