

Fiasco
Pushkin Industries
Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country's most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present.
Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history.
Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t.
Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida.
Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history.
Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t.
Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida.
Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 9, 2023 • 58min
The AIDS Crisis: Episode 5 - Leading Men
One of the most famous actors in Hollywood tries to keep his diagnosis under wraps - and ends up becoming the face of AIDS in America. You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at bit.ly/fiascopod If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 9, 2023 • 48min
The AIDS Crisis: Episode 4 - Blood
AIDS spreads through the country's blood supply, endangering people with hemophilia and leading to a breakthrough about the cause of the disease. You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at bit.ly/fiascopod If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 snips
Jun 9, 2023 • 54min
The AIDS Crisis: Episode 3 - The Baths
In this engaging discussion, activist Cleve Jones, dermatologist Marcus Conant, and public health director Mervyn Silverman delve into the contentious debate over the closure of San Francisco's bathhouses during the AIDS crisis. They explore the crucial role these spaces played in the LGBTQ+ community, offering sanctuary and solidarity amid panic. The guests share insights on navigating civil liberties versus public health, the community's emotional turmoil, and the broader implications of activism as they battled the epidemic. Their experiences illustrate resilience in the face of adversity.

20 snips
Jun 9, 2023 • 51min
The AIDS Crisis: Episode 2 - How to Have Sex in an Epidemic
Sean Stroob, a young activist from Columbia, joins legendary writer Larry Kramer and physician Larry Mass, both fierce advocates for the AIDS community. They discuss the improvisation and alliance-building among gay men in NYC during the AIDS crisis. Conversations dive into the emerging grassroots activism, the fight for healthcare awareness, and the tension with governmental indifference. Personal narratives illuminate the struggles faced and the community's resilience, capturing an era marked by both fear and fierce advocacy.

20 snips
Jun 9, 2023 • 51min
The AIDS Crisis: Episode 1 - Gay Plague
Bobby Campbell, a pioneering nurse and AIDS advocate, shares his early experiences living with AIDS in 1980s San Francisco. Randy Alfred, host of 'The Gay Life,' discusses his groundbreaking interview with Campbell that highlighted the stigma surrounding the disease. Infectious disease specialist Jeffrey Green reveals the chaotic response from medical professionals as they confronted an unfamiliar illness. Together, they offer a raw look at the intertwined narratives of fear, resilience, and urgent need for awareness during the AIDS crisis.

Jun 9, 2023 • 2min
Introducing Fiasco: The AIDS Crisis
From the co-creators of Slow Burn, Fiasco is a narrative podcast that transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of America’s most pivotal historical events. Using original interviews with dozens of key players, host Leon Neyfakh brings to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present day. The new season of Fiasco goes deep on the AIDS epidemic in America, with a special focus on the early years of the crisis, when a diagnosis was tantamount to a death sentence. The eight-part series looks at the mystery and missteps around identifying and treating a new, contagious disease, and what it took to get the public - and the government - to care.If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.