Timesuck with Dan Cummins

Dan Cummins
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Jan 19, 2026 • 2h 35min

490 - How to Fail at Murder (and Life): The Jennifer Pan Story

Discover the chilling story of Jennifer Pan, a model daughter turned murderer, as her elaborate web of lies unravels. Explore the intense pressure from her immigrant parents that fueled her deception, and how a failed murder plot ended in tragedy. Delve into the recruitment of hitmen and the shocking details of the crime night, including police interviews revealing her inconsistent statements. The narrative shifts to the trial's drama, examining the themes of accountability, parenting, and the haunting consequences of deceit.
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Jan 12, 2026 • 2h 53min

489 - Taken from Her Bed: The Elizabeth Smart Abduction

A chilling tale unfolds as a young girl is abducted from her home by a man driven by delusions of grandeur. The podcast dives into the chaotic life of her captor, examining his troubled past and the unhealthy relationships that shaped him. It describes the harrowing experience of the victim and the immense search efforts that captivated the nation. Hear about Elizabeth's dramatic rescue and her inspiring journey of recovery and advocacy. The discussion sheds light on the dangers of fringe beliefs and the resilience of survivors.
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Jan 9, 2026 • 1h 3min

Short Suck #49: The Milk Wars: When People Died for Dairy

Dive into the chaotic Milk Wars of the 1930s, where milk transformed into a battleground for survival and power. Discover how the Great Depression fueled violence, from riots to Mafia involvement, as farmers fought to protect their livelihoods. Explore the rise of home delivery and the swill milk scandal that shook consumer trust. Learn about the intense regional strikes and confrontations in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and how the industry’s corporatization led to deadly clashes. This forgotten history reveals just how fiercely Americans would fight for their dairy.
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Jan 5, 2026 • 2h 39min

488 - The Phantom Killer and the Texarkana Moonlight Murders

In 1946, Texarkana was terrorized by a masked serial killer known as the Phantom Killer. The podcast explores the brutal murders that struck the town, focusing on chilling details like the Lover's Lane attacks and the flawed investigation that followed. Dan discusses the panic that seized the community, the involvement of Texas Ranger 'Lone Wolf' Gonzalez, and the various suspects, especially UL Swinney, whose life after conviction raises more questions than answers. The legacy of fear and intrigue lingers in Texarkana's history.
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Dec 29, 2025 • 2h 20min

487 - Chris Gardner & the Pursuit of Happyness

The year-end inspirational Timesuck is here! We wrap up 2025 with the incredible true story of Chris Gardner — a man who survived poverty, abuse, foster care, and homelessness (along with his toddler son) before becoming a multimillionaire stockbroker and global philanthropist. If he could rise from that kind of hardship to build a life of purpose and generosity, what might the rest of us be capable of overcoming?Merch and more: www.badmagicproductions.com Timesuck Discord! https://discord.gg/tqzH89vWant to join the Cult of the Curious PrivateFacebook Group? Go directly to Facebook and search for "Cult of the Curious" to locate whatever happens to be our most current page :)For all merch-related questions/problems: store@badmagicproductions.com (copy and paste)Please rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and elsewhere and follow the suck on social media!! @timesuckpodcast on IG and http://www.facebook.com/timesuckpodcastWanna become a Space Lizard? Click here: https://www.patreon.com/timesuckpodcast.Sign up through Patreon, and for $5 a month, you get access to the entire Secret Suck catalog (295 episodes) PLUS the entire catalog of Timesuck, AD FREE. You'll also get 20% off of all regular Timesuck merch PLUS access to exclusive Space Lizard merch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Dec 26, 2025 • 1h 1min

Short Suck #48: The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young

Dive into the legendary Barkley Marathons, an ultra-race designed to break even the toughest of runners. Meet Lazarus Lake, the eccentric mastermind behind this brutal event, where secret applications and bizarre rituals keep participants on their toes. Discover the race's origins, inspired by a notorious prison escape, and learn about the harrowing terrain that tests endurance and grit. With no finishers in its inaugural run, this race is not for the faint-hearted, leaving behind a cult-like community of adventurers.
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Dec 22, 2025 • 2h 50min

486 - Vigilante Justice: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (A Lot)

What happens when ordinary people decide the legal system isn’t enough — and to take justice into their own hands? From real-life “superheroes” to tragic misfires, from folk-hero avengers to catastrophic citizen’s arrests, this episode explores the wild, messy, often dangerous world of vigilante justice. Sometimes inspiring, sometimes horrifying, sometimes darkly hilarious, these stories reveal just how quickly “doing the right thing” can go very wrong.Merch and more: www.badmagicproductions.com Timesuck Discord! https://discord.gg/tqzH89vWant to join the Cult of the Curious PrivateFacebook Group? Go directly to Facebook and search for "Cult of the Curious" to locate whatever happens to be our most current page :)For all merch-related questions/problems: store@badmagicproductions.com (copy and paste)Please rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and elsewhere and follow the suck on social media!! @timesuckpodcast on IG and http://www.facebook.com/timesuckpodcastWanna become a Space Lizard? Click here: https://www.patreon.com/timesuckpodcast.Sign up through Patreon, and for $5 a month, you get access to the entire Secret Suck catalog (295 episodes) PLUS the entire catalog of Timesuck, AD FREE. You'll also get 20% off of all regular Timesuck merch PLUS access to exclusive Space Lizard merch Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Dec 15, 2025 • 2h 40min

485 - The Family: Australia's Most Notorious Cult

In the 1960s and ’70s, yoga teacher–turned–self-proclaimed messiah Anne Hamilton-Byrne built one of Australia’s most shocking cults—an LSD-fueled blend of New Age mysticism, stolen children, and her own delusions of divine destiny. With doctors, psychiatrists, and academics convinced she was the Second Coming of Christ, Anne created The Family, a secretive compound where kids endured years of isolation and abuse. Be VERY thankful you’re not in this CULT! CULT! CULT!To help Cody, go to: https://halodentalnetwork.org/nominate/#nominateYou'll need to add the following info: Name: Cody Allen  City:  Bridgeport  State: Pennsylvania  DOB: 02/02/1989 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Dec 12, 2025 • 43min

Short Suck #47: The Business Plot - When Bankers Tried to Topple the White House

Explore the shocking tale of The Business Plot, where powerful bankers allegedly sought a fascist coup against FDR. Discover Smedley Butler, the decorated Marine turned activist, who faced suspicious bribes and sinister proposals. Delve into attempts to rally veterans for a government takeover and the creepy connections to European fascist movements. Hear about the congressional testimony that revealed the conspirators but left them unnamed, and the mysterious death of a key player that adds intrigue to this historic conspiracy.
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Dec 8, 2025 • 2h 30min

484 - The King of Beaver Island

Dive into the outrageous saga of James Strang, a con artist who claimed the mantle of leadership after Joseph Smith. Discover how he forged letters and created brass plate legends to entice followers to Beaver Island, where he crowned himself king. Learn about the bizarre community dynamics, internal rebellions, and even a murder aboard a naval ship. This story is filled with scandal, piracy, and political intrigue that leaves you wondering how one man's deception led to such wild events.

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