
Think Twice: Michael Jackson
More than a decade since Michael Jackson’s death, his legacy remains complicated and unresolved. Think Twice: Michael Jackson is an exploration of the King of Pop’s life and impact – and an investigation into why his global influence continues to endure, despite the disturbing allegations against him. In this ten-part series, journalists Leon Neyfakh and Jay Smooth bring you a new perspective on the Michael Jackson story, based on dozens of original interviews with people who watched it unfold from up close.You can binge every episode of Think Twice: Michael Jackson, ad-free on Amazon Music, Wondery+ or Audible.
Latest episodes

May 13, 2025 • 43min
Listen next - Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer, a new Audible Original by Leon Neyfakh
From Leon Neyfakh and Prologue Projects — the award-winning team behind Think Twice: Michael Jackson, Slow Burn, Fiasco, and Backfired — comes a new Audible Original, Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer. You may think you know Jerry Springer—the iconic TV host who presided over America's most controversial daytime talk show for 27 years. In that time, Springer’s name became synonymous with outrageous guests, taboo confessions, and vicious on-stage fights. But before The Jerry Springer Show made him infamous all over the world, Springer was something else entirely: a respected Midwestern politician whom many saw as a future leader in the Democratic Party. So how did this serious-minded idealist with lofty political aspirations take such a turn in such a radically different direction? Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer tells the fascinating story of a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany who became the beloved mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio before morphing into a symbol of cultural decline. Through dozens of intimate and revealing interviews with those who knew Springer best—from his big sister to his early political aides to the producers who shaped his show—listeners will be transported into the world of this singular figure’s rise to notoriety, and his fascinating struggle to reconcile his status as “the king of trash TV” with his lifelong dream of returning to politics. Final Thoughts examines timeless questions about ambition, compromise, and whether we can ever truly separate who we are from what we do for a living. Was Jerry Springer a principled would-be statesman who took a detour into the gutter, or did his show reveal something essential about his character – not to mention ours? Listen now on Audible at audible.com/Springer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 28, 2025 • 6min
Listen Now: Death County, PA
Lamont Jones leaves Dauphin County Prison for the last time, a free man ready to move on with his life. But when his young cousin dies in that same jail, he learns that this is not the only mysterious death that has plagued Dauphin County Prison. The search for the truth will put him at odds with a reality TV show coroner who claims to speak for the dead and people in power who all have something to hide. Listen to Death County, PA: Wondery.fm/DCPA_FDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 18, 2023 • 55min
Ghost Story | 10
Michael Jackson spends his final days preparing for a series of comeback concerts, but tragedy strikes before rehearsals are even completed. In the aftermath of Michael’s death, a reckoning begins over everything he left behind.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 9, 2023 • 1h 2min
The Trial | 9
Ten years after first being accused of child sexual abuse, Michael Jackson finds himself in court facing criminal charges related to a new alleged victim. Meanwhile, Michael’s fans rally around their idol and try to help him get through a new low point in his career.Think Twice: Michael Jackson was produced by Dustin DeSoto, Benjamin Frisch, Kim Gittleson, Danielle Hewitt, Sam Lee, Leon Neyfakh, Andrew Parsons, and Jay Smooth, and edited by Diane Hodson. The lead producer for this episode was Benjamin Frisch.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 4, 2023 • 48min
Colossus of Pop | 8
Michael Jackson, music legend, attempts to rebuild his legacy after sexual abuse allegations. Topics discussed: his battle with addiction, plans for a comeback, public skepticism towards his marriage, visit to a children's hospital in Budapest, challenges in the production of a history film, and coverage of his trial.

Aug 28, 2023 • 51min
Leave Me Alone | 7
This podcast explores Michael Jackson's portrayal in the tabloid media, his transformation and the release of his album 'Bad', the negative press surrounding his appearance, the relationship between the National Enquirer and Michael Jackson, and the power of memory and eyewitness testimonies.

Aug 21, 2023 • 57min
Michael on High | 6
Michael Jackson's upbringing in the Jehovah's Witness faith and his dedication to the religion, MTV's impact on the music industry and Michael's strategic collaborations, the release of 'Billie Jean' and its impact on the Thriller album, Michael Jackson's journey with Jehovah's Witnesses and the conflict with his art, the making and controversy of the 'Thriller' music video, and the power of memory in the criminal justice system.

Aug 14, 2023 • 52min
Wiz Kid | 5
The podcast explores topics such as the impact of 'The Wiz' on the black community, Michael Jackson's journey in New York City, Susan Blond's role as the Jackson family's publicist, the casting of Diana Ross in the movie adaptation, rumors about Michael's alleged relationship with Clifton Davis, his denial of his sexuality, and the filming of 'The Wiz' leading to iconic albums like 'Thriller'.

Aug 7, 2023 • 45min
The Sound of Young America | 4
The Jackson family signs with the Motown Record Corporation and moves out to California. As Black artists across the country are achieving new levels of visibility, the Jackson 5 become an overnight sensation and a young Michael must navigate growing up in the spotlight as the front man of America’s hottest boy band.Think Twice: Michael Jackson was produced by Dustin DeSoto, Benjamin Frisch, Kim Gittleson, Danielle Hewitt, Sam Lee, Leon Neyfakh, Andrew Parsons, and Jay Smooth, and edited by Diane Hodson. The lead producer for this episode was Danielle Hewitt.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 31, 2023 • 51min
Big Boy | 3
Michael Jackson’s childhood, or lack thereof, is cited constantly in the conversation around his relationships with children. In this episode, we go back to Michael’s earliest days in Gary, Indiana, where he grows up under the domineering hand of his father while he and his brothers take the local music scene by storm in search of a better life.Think Twice: Michael Jackson was produced by Dustin DeSoto, Benjamin Frisch, Kim Gittleson, Danielle Hewitt, Sam Lee, Leon Neyfakh, Andrew Parsons, and Jay Smooth, and edited by Diane Hodson. The lead producers for this episode were Jay Smooth and Sam Lee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.