Conspiracy Theories

From an early age, Brian Jones showed a creative edge and an interest in self-destruction. His rebellious spirit derailed him out of school and into the world of music. In 1962, he would help form the Rolling Stones. By 1969, Jones was out of the band, and soon after, dead. Officially, it was ruled an accidental drowning. But tensions with the law, with his band, and in his business dealings prompted theorists to suggest otherwise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By 2011, the FBI was ready to reexamine the evidence. A theory emerged: What if the Mad Poisoner was actually the Unabomber? Ted Kaczynski had proven he was a revenge-seeking terrorist, and he had connections to Chicago. Perhaps he traded homemade bombs for poisoned pills. Or maybe the deadly concoctions came straight from the Johnson & Johnson facility itself. In the absence of clear answers, only theories remain… and rumors that someone is still out there, replacing Halloween treats with fatal tricks. This is a crossover special with Serial Killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If Roger Arnold wasn’t behind the murders, who was? Police turn their focus to a new suspect: a disgruntled accountant named James Lewis. But the more police dig into Lewis’s life, the more questions they have. The road to truth is paved with extortion, false identities, and revenge. This is a crossover special with Serial Killers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years ago, cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules led to the deaths of seven people all around the Chicago area. America was gripped by paranoia and fear. Why was this happening? Who would be next? Police grasped for suspects who might be the so-called “Mad Poisoner.” This is a crossover special with Serial Killers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the papers referring to MJ-12 were released to the public, the news was a bombshell. But scrutiny wasn’t far behind. Accusations of forgery and fraud began to surface, and eventually, all that was left to examine was motive. Why would someone go to extraordinary lengths to reveal a secret cabal that potentially never even existed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Decades ago, a top-secret group of scientists, military officials and researchers reported on extraterrestrial activity to the president. When a documentary filmmaker caught wind of the operation, he followed a trail of breadcrumbs that led him to a trove of government secrets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For 11 days in December 1926, a famed writer — the “Queen of Crime” herself — vanished. Agatha Christie was used to concocting fictional mysteries. Now, she was at the center of one in real life. But was this a stress-induced reprieve from unending responsibilities? Or a masterfully coordinated jab at her cheating husband? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Famed novelist. Accomplished outdoorsman. Intrepid spy? Today we examine the evidence suggesting one of the greatest writers of the 20th century was also involved in espionage — whether as a Soviet asset, or a double agent for the U.S., it all depends on who you ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into the courageous battle of Superman and allies against the KKK in a groundbreaking 1946 radio campaign. Discover how journalist Stetson Kennedy risked it all to expose the Klan’s infiltration in society. Uncover the narrative's impact on public perception and the backlash the show's creators faced. Explore the intersection of media and social activism, and question the veracity of Kennedy's claims. This captivating discussion reveals the power of storytelling in fighting hate and the lessons of hope and justice that resonate today.

In the early 1940s, a journalist aimed to undermine the KKK by revealing their secrets through a children's radio show. The Klan's growth during this time fueled a dramatic counter-narrative led by activists. A civil rights activist infiltrated the Klan to expose their true nature, unveiling horrifying initiation rituals. Superman's creators cleverly used the character to challenge racism and promote social justice, with compelling episodes directly confronting Klan ideology. This fascinating blend of media and activism reveals a unique historical battle against hate.