RedHanded

With Netflix's new documentary on the modern fundamentalist Mormon church coming out today – we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our episode on Warren Jeffs's FLDS, to give some much-needed context... Last week, we looked at the formation of the ultra-obedient, bigamist Mormon cult, the FLDS – in which plural marriage to pregnant preteen girls is just the tip of the fundamentalist iceberg. In this second part, we look at how its new prophet, Warren Jeffs, took his so-called religion to ever stricter and more terrifying depths. With followers so beaten down that they were banned from even laughing; the prophet on the lam, living it up at Disneyland; and a team of ex-faithfuls and dogged investigators closing in – something had to give. But not before the full extent of his evil was laid bare in front of a stunned courtroom.--Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / InstagramSources and more available on redhandedpodcast.com

With Netflix's new documentary on the modern fundamentalist Mormon church coming out today – we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our episode on Warren Jeffs's FLDS, to give some much-needed context... According to Warren Jeffs’ thousands of followers, he was the leader of a secretive but devoted religion – their prophet, and the representative of God on Earth. But according to US law, he was a dangerous, totalitarian, child-molesting horror with over 80 wives – some married off as young as 12. Still, according to the church, Earthly laws are no match for the voice of God.In this episode, we explore the story behind the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: how the visions of a charismatic, seventeen-year-old farmhand called Joseph Smith grew to become a major world religion; how plural marriage caused a major rift in the church; and how its teachings were warped into a systematic cult of child abuse, underage sex, and absolute power.--Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / InstagramSources and more available on redhandedpodcast.com

A deep look at the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon disaster and the human cost of corporate shortcuts. They cover the technical hazards of deep-sea drilling and the rig’s history and role at Macondo. The breakdown of final safety steps, ignored alarms, and the blowout sequence are laid out. They also examine the ecological devastation, long-term community impacts, and legal fallout for the company involved.

They trace the grail from ancient Celtic magic vessels to medieval Arthurian romance. The story’s shift into Christian liturgy and transubstantiation gets explored. Templar legends, Nazi-era treasure hunts, and modern claimants are examined. Pop culture takes from Indiana Jones to conspiracy-fueled books are discussed.

A deep dive into the trial, forensic gaps, and contested evidence around a fentanyl poisoning. They unpack conflicting witness stories, shifting testimonies, and alleged financial motives. The narrative follows ruined trusts, forged loans, and a luxury home scheme that fueled suspicion. Courtroom drama, a jaw-dropping jail letter, and a quick guilty verdict close out the story.

They probe the claim that Jesus of Nazareth never existed and outline the 19th century mythicist movement. They explain how historians build probabilistic pictures from fragmentary evidence and why the Gospels and Paul matter. They weigh non-Christian references like Josephus and Tacitus against mythicist objections and conclude on the mainstream scholarly stance about a historical Jesus.

A baffling disappearance after a holiday and sprinting out of an airport into nearby woods. Strange phone calls about being followed, card fraud and panic late at night. Cropped and missing CCTV footage plus a mysterious man at an airport door. Medical explanations, possible drug effects, numerous sightings and a private search effort keep the mystery alive.

A sudden death turned into a murder charge after a TV spot promoting a children’s grief book. The story digs into alleged motives: money, a secret lover, and disputed inheritance moves. Investigators use phone logs, body cam and a private PI to piece together timelines. Courtroom moments include a scrutinized 911 call, disputed journal entries, and revelations about life insurance and ghostwriting.

A dive into the wild rumours that surrounded Wallis Simpson, from lurid sexual gossip to alleged Nazi flirtations. They trace her Baltimore roots, marriages, and rise into royal circles. The story follows the abdication crisis, exile in France, decadent social life, and the shady lawyer who exploited her. Myths like the Chinese dossier and Ribbentrop carnations are examined alongside efforts to reassess her reputation.

A dive into Alfred Kinsey’s bold 1950s sex research and how it shattered conservative silence. They trace earlier sexology, Berlin’s pioneering institute, and Kinsey’s unlikely path from gall wasps to national surveys. The seven-point Kinsey scale and its upending of binary labels get unpacked. They also cover scandal, funding fights, and how later researchers refined his methods.