The Big Flop

Natalie Cochran seemed like she had it all: a good job as a pharmacist, a loving husband, and two kids. But then she quit her job to become a government contractor and started raking in dough, or so she claimed. Behind the scenes, Natalie was running a classic Ponzi scheme, scamming friends and family with fake contracts, fake government emails, and even fake cancer. But when the walls start closing in, lies alone won’t be enough to save her… These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. Every week on Scamfluencers, join co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi as they unpack epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness. These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive? Listen now: Wondery.fm/SCAMSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From club promoter to music mogul, Scooter Braun's Midas touch turned Justin Bieber into pop royalty and made him millions. But when he bought Taylor Swift's masters, he learned the hard way that hell hath no fury like a pop princess scorned. In our final episode, we're going out with a bang – this is the story of how one savvy dealmaker became public enemy #1 to Swifties everywhere, and how the music industry's golden boy found himself in the biggest flop of his career.Corey O'Brien and Alex Falcone join Misha to understand the bad blood between Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift.Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when six guys with zero restaurant experience open a bar just so they'll always have somewhere to drink? You get Hooters – a wing joint that grew from Florida novelty to international phenomenon. But between failed airline ventures, bikini contests, and changing social attitudes, America's original ""breastaurant"" learned that some business models belong in the past – right next to those infamous orange shorts.Jimmy Pardo and Courtney Revolution join Misha to learn how Hooters went from “Delightfully Tacky” to totally bankrupt.Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sydney Battle, a comedian known for her sharp wit, teams up with Matt Bellassai, another comedic talent, to dive into the outrageous saga of the Bling Ring. They explore how fame-obsessed teens stole $3 million from celebrities, offering hilarious takes on their reckless escapades. The duo discusses the blurred lines of celebrity culture, the allure of theft, and the sometimes ridiculous consequences of seeking fame. Their banter highlights the deeper lessons about accountability in a world obsessed with glamour.

Join pop culture writers Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan as they dissect the spectacular rise and fall of Anthony Weiner. They delve into his ambitious political career, the outrageous fallout from his scandalous online behavior, and the complexities of his marriage to Huma Abedin. With a mix of humor and critical analysis, they explore the viral moments that shaped his public image and the intricate dance of redemption in politics. Discover how one man's compulsive choices reshaped his future and impacted the political landscape.

In 2017, Santa Monica residents woke up to find their streets invaded by mysterious electric scooters. The culprit? Travis VanderZanden, a former Uber exec with a plan to revolutionize urban transit. But between drunk-tweeting executives, phantom revenue reports, and scooters being hurled into oceans, Bird's flight path was destined for turbulence.Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith join Misha to watch Bird's $2 billion flight plan nosediveBe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Jeff Hiller, an actor and comedian known for his book 'Actress of a Certain Age,' and Leslie Liao as they dive into the chaotic life of John McAfee. They discuss his wild transformation from antivirus mogul to fugitive, marked by bizarre decisions like tattooing "WHACKD" on himself. The hosts reflect on the paradox of digital trust, his cult-like escapades in Belize, and the shadows of his questionable legacy. Tune in for a mix of humor and intrigue around one of tech's most notorious figures!

She kissed a girl, she liked it, and for a decade, Katy Perry could do no wrong. But when cultural appropriation scandals and lukewarm albums replaced her candy-coated hits, not even Jeff Bezos's rocket ship could launch her back to stardom. From pixie cut crisis to space tourism cringe, this is how pop's reigning queen became TikTok's favorite punchline.Happy Wife, Happy Life co-hosts Jordan Myrick and Kendahl Landreth join Misha to figure out how this "Dark Horse" found herself "Waking Up In Vegas."Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2019, a group of TikTok stars thought they'd cracked the code to social media stardom: live together, dance together, get rich together. But when the Hype House turned into a pressure cooker of teenage drama, shady business deals, and pandemic parties, these content creators learned that going viral doesn't always pay the rent – or the lawyers.Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow (Thin Lips) join Misha to discuss what all the hype was about.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch, co-stars of the improvised Regency comedy podcast Bitcherton, join in a hilarious critique of John Travolta's infamous 'Battlefield Earth.' They explore the film's absurdity, touching on its bizarre plot twists and the challenges of adapting L. Ron Hubbard's work. The conversation dives into Travolta's career, the connection to Scientology, and the film's bizarre promotional tactics. With humor and insight, they reflect on what went wrong and what filmmakers can learn from this cinematic disaster.