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WIRED
The latest in-depth coverage covering the intersection of technology and culture will help you make sense of a world in constant transformation. Join us as we explore the ways technology is changing our lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 31, 2026 • 37min
From The Big Story: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans From Tehran
To hear stories three days earlier, listen on The Big Story: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
Sneaking six Americans out of Iran in 1979 would take an audacious plan, false identities, and an epic Hollywood cover story.
Written by Joshuah Bearman. Originally published on April 24th, 2007.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 26, 2026 • 1h 25min
From The Big Story: She Was the DEA’s Premier Crypto Detective. The Clues Led Straight to Her Own Family
To listen to episodes a day early, follow The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
To escape the chaos of her Russian childhood, Lili Infante became an American law enforcement prodigy. She pioneered the DEA’s investigations of the dark web—never suspecting who she’d find hiding there.
Written by Joshuah Bearman and Owen Long. Originally published on October 21st, 2026.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 23, 2026 • 1h 48min
From The Big Story: Inside the Bitcoin Bust That Took Down the Web's Biggest Child Abuse Site
Listen to more of The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
They thought their payments were untraceable. They couldn’t have been more wrong. The untold story of the case that shredded the myth of Bitcoin’s anonymity.
Written by Andy Greenberg. Originally published on April 7th, 2022.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 21, 2026 • 1h 10min
From The Big Story: Evan Ratliff Tried to Vanish: Here's What Happened
Listen to more of The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
He shed his identity with the goal of disappearing for one month. Then the manhunt began.
Written by Evan Ratliff. Originally published on November 20th, 2009.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story
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Oct 19, 2026 • 50min
From The Big Story: Nathan Fielder Tells Us Everything
Including what Elizabeth Holmes said to him last week. A WIRED exclusive interview with the comic auteur, as his first feature film hits theaters.
The conversation between Katie Drummond and Nathan Fielder is performed by voice actors. These are not their actual voices.
Written by Katie Drummond. Originally published on October 19th, 2026.
Listen to more of The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 18, 2026 • 48min
From The Big Story: A College Girl Was Exploited on Camera. A Network of Anonymous Men Got to Work
Listen to more of The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
Maddie Kowalski is one of countless young women who’ve had their lives destroyed by the burnerverse, a loosely connected online community of sports fans. Now she’s fighting back.
Written by EJ Dickson. Originally published on September 14th, 2026.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 16, 2026 • 1h 1min
From The Big Story: The Accidental Zillionaire
A deep dive into Paul Allen’s life after Microsoft, from risky technology ventures and multimedia ambitions to sports ownership, music, philanthropy, and cultural projects. His portfolio reaches across wireless networks, biotechnology, online services, and entertainment, while failures at several companies raise questions about management, vision, and the price of chasing exciting ideas.
Oct 14, 2026 • 46min
From The Big Story: In Search of the Heart of the Online-Cat Industrial Complex
A journey into Japan’s internet-cat economy, from Maru’s worldwide fame to the Musashis’ accidental music career. Along the way: anonymous online identities, lucrative cat videos, Tokyo’s cat cafés, and the curious appeal of animals that refuse to perform for approval. Why did cats, of all creatures, become the internet’s ultimate celebrities?
Oct 11, 2026 • 33min
From The Big Story: The Internet Runs on Cats and Porn. It’s About to Get Cattier and Pornier
Listen to more of The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
Soon, hundreds of new top-level domains, including .meow and .fart, could be added to the internet. WIRED goes inside the backroom shenanigans of ICANN, the organization at the helm.
Written by Pete Millspaugh. Originally published on October 6th, 2026.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 9, 2026 • 29min
From The Big Story: Billions Registered
Listen to more of The Big Story here: http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop
Right now, there are no rules to keep you from owning a bitchin’ corporate name as your own internet address.
Written by Joshua Quittner. Originally published on October 1st, 1994.
For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
