Revisionist History
Pushkin Industries
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Episodes
Mentioned books
16 snips
May 7, 2026 • 41min
The Worst Poet in the World | From Cautionary Tales
A wild tale about William McGonagall, the poet derided for awkward rhymes and jarring meter. Listeners hear the Tay Bridge disaster poem and the humiliating Balmoral walk. The story follows his mockery-fueled tours, riotous recitals, and surprising commercial success. The conversation questions whether he was a tragic fool or a deliberate performer and weighs what his legacy really means.
37 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 31min
Why Would I Do That to Jennifer Lopez? | The Mistakes Series
Carter Harris, a longtime profile writer who penned the Elle piece, reflects on using quotes that stuck. Irv Gotti, hitmaking producer behind J‑Lo remixes, recounts crafting global hits and a phone call that led to a damaging on‑record remark. They discuss studio chemistry, a fraught interview moment, and the fallout that cost a rare creative partnership.
49 snips
Apr 23, 2026 • 30min
A Tragedy in Texas | The Mistakes Series
David Goldfein, retired four-star Air Force general who led during crises, and Heather Wilson, former Secretary of the Air Force and congresswoman, recount the Sutherland Springs tragedy and leadership choices. They discuss reporting failures, ignored audits, choosing transparency, supporting the Texas community, testifying to Congress, and teaching leadership through institutional failure.
63 snips
Apr 21, 2026 • 1h 30min
The Shawshank Redemption | From What Went Wrong
A deep dive into how a much-loved film survived a rocky release and studio doubts. The story traces casting battles, on-set tensions, and bold creative choices. Production secrets, brutal shoots, and test-screening edits get spotlighted. The tale follows how home video and cable transformed a box-office flop into a cultural touchstone.
71 snips
Apr 16, 2026 • 30min
The Sony Hack | The Mistakes Series
Michael Lynton, former CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment and co-author of From Mistakes to Meaning, recounts the 2014 Sony hack and his impulsive greenlight of The Interview. He describes the morning of discovery, the leaked emails and damage, the missed red flags a normal process would have caught, negotiations over the film, and the intense fallout for the studio and himself.
22 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 1min
Behind the Scenes with Andrew Jarecki
Andrew Jarecki, acclaimed documentary filmmaker behind Capturing the Friedmans and The Jinx, discusses making The Alabama Solution. He reveals discovering contraband cellphone footage, building the film around prisoners' own videos and voices, and exposing systemic abuse and a cover-up in Alabama prisons. The conversation also explores moral failure cascades, labor practices, and the uneasy role of officials in the story.
111 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 31min
Zootopia Exposed! (Part Two)
Ben Nadeff-Haffrey, a film buff and literary scholar, helps sleuth Zootopia 2 for hidden meanings. He traces visual quotations, Ratatouille nods, and self-references. They debate whether the film contains intentional studio critique and explore a theory of an internal creative insurrection. Family history links to the film’s moral focus and questions of authorship.
115 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 32min
Zootopia Exposed! (Part One)
Gary Goldman, Hollywood screenwriter known for major film work, claims he pitched an animal-world story called Zootopia. He recounts conceiving the idea, pitching an outline named Loony to a studio, and launching a long legal battle after seeing the film. The conversation highlights eerie parallels between his life and a sequel that seems to mirror his lawsuit.
13 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 47min
From Valley of Shadows: The Devil's Punchbowl
A nearly 30-year-old disappearance in a remote California desert sparks competing theories and buried secrets. Reporters follow missing-person searches, scent dogs, and a halted investigation. Allegations surface of outlaw meth crews, police corruption, and a department that might be covering up what really happened.
109 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 32min
The Big Birthday Party
A ten-year celebration unpacks why the presenter dislikes birthdays and how that shaped the show. Family memories, forgotten anniversaries, and on-the-road reporting mishaps get funny, revealing retellings. Behind-the-scenes production quirks, serendipitous “found” moments in storytelling, and debates over the most unforgettable recordings are playfully explored.
