Criminal

Tells the strange story of men who ate chemically laced meals to test food safety. Explores widespread 19th century food fraud and the lab work that exposed it. Recounts public outrage over tainted canned meat and the push for labeling and inspection laws. Follows the scientist’s relentless campaigns, dramatic trials, and the reforms that changed what Americans could trust to eat.

Darren Detweiler, a parent who lost his child Riley and later became a food safety advocate. Bill Marler, a lawyer who litigated major food-safety cases. Jeff Benedict, author of Poisoned who researched the outbreak. They recount the 1993 cluster of severe pediatric illnesses, the tracing to fast-food burgers, corporate and regulatory failures, and the sweeping reforms that followed.

Bridgette Davis, author and daughter of Fannie Davis, tells the story of her mother’s rise from hardship to running Detroit’s numbers operation. Short scenes cover how the underground lottery worked, daily routines of taking bets and payouts, the rituals and dream books players used, FBI raids and secrecy, and how the operation shaped Black community life and family fortunes.

Carolyn Long, legal historian and author of Mapp v. Ohio: Guarding Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures, explains the Mapp case and Fourth Amendment history. She recounts the confrontation over a warrant, the forcible search, and the path to the U.S. Supreme Court. She also traces the ruling’s nationwide impact and how police practices and legal exceptions evolved afterward.

A 1920s courtroom drama about a secret marriage that explodes into a sensational annulment trial. Class, race, and family reputation collide as legal strategy and public spectacle take center stage. A startling courtroom demonstration becomes a pivotal moment in a widely watched legal battle.

Tanner Mansell, a former corporate worker turned shark‑diving guide, and John Moore, a veteran boat captain and tour operator, recount finding a longline tangled with dozens of sharks. They describe cutting sharks free, the viral photos that followed, clashes with authorities and local fishers, a contentious prosecution and trial, and an unexpected presidential pardon that changed their lives.

Deborah Blum, journalist and author of The Poisoner’s Handbook, gives historical context on a deadly Prohibition-era government plan. She narrates how poisoned industrial alcohol and methanol spikes caused hallucinations, blindness, and deaths. The story traces forensic pioneers, home distilling, and the policy debate that followed.

Sarah Miller, historian and author of The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets, guides a tour through one of Canada’s most sensational stories. She recounts the miraculous birth and frantic early medical care. She traces the government seizure, public display in “Quintland,” commercialization, family reunification struggles, and later legal battles over money and accountability.

Cecilia Gentili, a transgender activist and former sex worker from Argentina who won asylum in the U.S. and later led Trans Equity, tells a life story of survival and community. She talks about feeling like an outsider, choosing sex work to survive, migrating for safety, the harms of online law changes, and building support networks that became home.

Renu Rayasam, an investigative reporter who traced the history of 'excited delirium.' She explores the term’s origins in 1980s Miami, how law enforcement adopted it into training, and its racialized language and controversies. Short, clear segments unpack the spread, challenges to its validity, and recent policy shifts curbing its use.