Endless Thread

Shaquille O'Neal has some advice: "If you are going to retire, accept it. Enjoy your family," he recently said on The Big Podcast With Shaq. "I made a lot of dumb mistakes to where I lost my family. I don't have anybody." His statement, directed at retiring NFL star Jason Kelce, raised concern online. "What happened with Shaq?" asked one Reddit user in a popular thread. "I thought he was [a] super nice guy. Why is he all alone?" The former four-time NBA champion has developed several personas since the Orlando Magic drafted him in 1992. On the court, he was a giant. Online, he became something different. Endless Thread breaks down the many sides of Shaq to answer the question, Is he OK? ===== Credits: This episode was written and produced by Ben Brock Johnson with help from Dean Russell. Mix and sound design by Emily Jankowski. The hosts are Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson.

Unveiling the controversy around Ridley Academy's potential ties to Scientology, deceptive marketing practices in online learning, and the ethical considerations in music education. Exploring the founder's transformation from a concert pianist to an online entrepreneur and his mission to simplify music learning.

You may have seen this ad: A frenetic, wild-haired concert pianist says he can make any newbie a virtuoso in months. Just take his online course for $3,000. Too good to be true? Redditors thought so. Posts dating back years cried scam. Some went further and claimed his virtual piano academy is a cover to recruit Scientologists. In Part 1 of "The Music Man," Endless Thread investigates. Credits: This episode was written and produced by Grace Tatter with mixing and sound design by Emily Jankowski. Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson are the co-hosts.

In the podcast, Amory Sivertson delves into a dark family secret involving a murder accusation against his sister. Shane's journey from homelessness to a career in law is explored, as he seeks closure and justice for his family. Meanwhile, Sophia reflects on betrayal and redemption in her quest to clear her name. The podcast series, 'Beyond All Repair', provides an inside look at this intriguing narrative.

Explore the emotional depth of a cold-case murder investigation in Beyond All Repair. Follow Shane's journey from homelessness to success, unraveling family secrets and navigating personal struggles along the way.

Improv group Cherry Bomb turns online drama into musical theater, showcasing quirky characters from East Nashville's Facebook group. Explore the creative process of turning Reddit posts into songs, including a Stanley Cup tribute. Discover the chaos caused by a mysterious hole in Chicago neighborhood and how Cherry Bomb bridges online interactions with real-life humor through improv musical theater.

A man presents a PowerPoint on a first date, leading to a discussion on unconventional dating methods. The podcast also delves into the movie 'Tenet' and a controversial filming incident, while encouraging listeners to share PowerPoint presentations.

Julian Shapiro-Barnum, Creator of Recess Therapy, talks about making the internet fun for kids and adults. They discuss the impact of viral success, their childhood in a large queer family, empowering kids through improv, and reflections on spiritual nourishment and learning from children.

TikTok creator 'Kala', aka 'tunnel girl', excavates and constructs a tunnel system under her suburban home, capturing the attention of over half a million followers. The hosts discuss her motivations, TikTok community's response, safety concerns, Kala's sudden disappearance, and the unfolding mystery surrounding the tunnel project.

The podcast discusses the discovery of secret tunnels in New York City, including one in a synagogue basement and another connecting a building to a deserted mikfah. It delves into why tunnels are intriguing to people and the viral nature of these stories. The episode also explores the strict customs and way of life in the Hasidic community, the consequences of unauthorized tunnel building, and ends with a call for listeners to share their tunnel stories.