

Behind the Bastards
Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
There’s a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives. Listeners will learn about the young adult novels that helped Hitler form his monstrous ideology, the founder of Blackwater’s insane quest to build his own Air Force, the bizarre lives of the sons and daughters of dictators and Saddam Hussein’s side career as a trashy romance novelist.
Episodes
Mentioned books

14 snips
Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 8min
Part Two: How Lawrence of Arabia Invented Modern War
Margaret Killjoy, an insightful author and cultural critic, joins to discuss the multifaceted legacy of Lawrence of Arabia. They dive into how Lawrence’s experiences shaped modern military strategies and the ethical dilemmas he faced during warfare. The conversation scrutinizes the political landscape of his time, particularly the rise of Arab nationalism and its complex interplay with Western imperialism. With a mix of wit and depth, they also explore Lawrence's guerrilla tactics that revolutionized warfare, highlighting the human costs intertwined with historical conflicts.

32 snips
Nov 12, 2024 • 1h 19min
Part One: How Lawrence of Arabia Invented Modern War
Robert tells Margaret Killjoy the whole story of Lawrence of Arabia, a British imperialist, hopeless romantic and asexual icon who invented the concept of modern insurgent war. Through it all we ask: was he a bastard? (4 Part Series) https://www.cliohistory.org/thomas-lawrence/lawrence/youth https://www.investigativeproject.org/4256/guest-column-the-final-death-of-lawrence-of-arabia https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/02/young-lawrence-a-portrait-of-the-legend-as-a-young-man-review https://www.salon.com/2015/03/01/i%C2%A0realize_now_that_he_was_sexless/ https://www.thehistoryreader.com/military-history/t-e-lawrence-art-war-twenty-first-century/ https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/opinions/2016/2/16/what-would-t-e-lawrence-do https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-lawrence-arabia-180951857/ https://www.tracesofevil.com/p/blog-page_24.html https://www.firstworldwar.com/features/telawrence.htm https://baklol.com/baks/Misc/Great-people-who-were-also-per-_1492/T--E--Lawrence-_18491 https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2016/sykes-picot-100-years-middle-east-map/index.html https://stljewishlight.org/top-story/lawrence-of-arabia-or-lawrence-of-zion/ https://theintercept.com/2023/03/23/peter-thiel-jeff-thomas/ https://israelforever.org/programs/balfourinitiative/Implementing_Balfour_Declaration/ https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Opinion/Implementing-the-Balfour-Declaration https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/manuscript-reveals-dark-side-of-lawrence-of-arabia-s-sex-life-76363.html https://www.amazon.com/Setting-Desert-Fire-T-Lawrence-ebook/dp/B006072QSG https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/22/archives/the-naked-truth-nothing-withheld-revealed-at-last-the-secret-lives.html https://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia/players/dahoum.html Schneider, James. Guerrilla Leader: T. E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt (p. 52). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. Sattin, Anthony. The Young T. E. Lawrence (pp. 34-35). W. W. Norton & Company. Kindle Edition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 9, 2024 • 2h 39min
It Could Happen Here Weekly 155
All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file. Trump's Constitutional Sheriffs Remember, Remember, the (Other) 5th of November An Election Episode feat. Robert Still Don't Panic: An Election Response Trump's Deportation Plans You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! http://apple.co/coolerzone Sources: Trump's Constitutional Sheriffs https://politicalresearch.org/the-insurgence-sheriffs Remember, Remember, the (Other) 5th of November https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/real-story-of-bonfire-night/ https://www.ajc.org/news/on-luther-and-his-lies https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/guy-fawkes-bonfire-night/index.html https://deadline.com/2024/10/lilly-wachowski-anarchists-united-grants-1236161483/ https://www.autostraddle.com/lilly-wachowski-interview/ Trump's Deportation Plans https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-ELECTION/MIGRATION-DEPORTATIONS/akpeoeoerpr/ https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics/title-8-and-title-42-statistics-fy22 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-trump-would-crack-down-immigration-second-term-2023-11-14/ https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-pledges-10000-extra-border-agents-fight-with-harris-over-immigration-2024-10-13/ https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/mass-deportation https://www.ice.gov/identify-and-arrest/287gSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45 snips
Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 17min
Part Four: How Peter Thiel Became the Gravedigger of Democracy
From humor about allergies to deep dives into Peter Thiel’s political paradoxes, this discussion blends levity with intense analysis. It examines Thiel's anti-immigration support despite his immigrant roots and addresses the chaotic fallout from a Florida DJ rivalry involving Hulk Hogan. The darker side emerges with the Gawker saga, illustrating the clash of wealth and media freedom. Plus, they critique political hypocrisy and delve into Thiel’s controversial medical practices, raising ethical questions about his influence on democracy and national security.

52 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 25min
Part Three: How Peter Thiel Became the Gravedigger of Democracy
Noah Schachman, a contributing writer for Rolling Stone and Wired, dives into the complex legacy of Peter Thiel. They discuss Thiel's vendetta against Gawker after an article questioning his sexuality, and the ethical dilemmas of media outing. The conversation shifts to Thiel’s controversial investments in anti-democratic tech and his peculiar beliefs regarding society's future. Moreover, they examine his failures during the 2008 financial crisis and how Palantir's surveillance technologies reflect troubling moral choices.

Nov 2, 2024 • 3h 13min
The Darién Gap: Where Dreams Die
In this series, James describes his journey into the Darién Gap, one of the most remote and dangerous migration routes on earth. We hear from migrants from around the world about the dangers of the journey, their fears that forced them to take it, and their dreams for America. It Could Happen Here Weekly 154 Sources can be found in the descriptions of each individual episode. The Green Hell: Migration Through the Darién Gap We Are All Brothers: How the Emberá Community of Bajo Chiquito Welcomes Migrants in the Darién Gap They Don’t Care About Us: What Migrants Leave Behind As If We Had Been Imprisoned: The Migrant Reception Center What Can You Do? Mutual Aid Along the Migrant Journey You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! http://apple.co/coolerzone See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

61 snips
Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 21min
Part Two: How Peter Thiel Became the Gravedigger of Democracy
Noah Schachman, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone and Wired, sheds light on Peter Thiel's unorthodox rise as PayPal's CEO and his fractured relationship with Elon Musk. They dive into Thiel’s selective hiring practices and early PayPal's quirky culture. The discussion also reveals Thiel’s investment strategies post-9/11, intertwining personal beliefs with societal implications. Throughout, they humorously address pop culture and the ethical dilemmas of wealth and power in shaping democracy.

44 snips
Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 12min
Part One: How Peter Thiel Became the Gravedigger of Democracy
In this fascinating discussion, Noah Schachtman, a contributing writer at Rolling Stone and Wired, delves deep into Peter Thiel's controversial life. They explore Thiel's significant influence in politics, particularly his support for Republican candidates. Schachtman unpacks Thiel's unconventional upbringing and how it shaped his libertarian ideologies. The episode is rich with insights on Thiel's formative experiences, his peculiar quirks, and the philosophical beliefs that underlie his actions, revealing a complex figure at the heart of modern democracy's struggles.

Oct 26, 2024 • 2h 58min
It Could Happen Here Weekly 153
All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file. Sources can be found in the descriptions of each individual episode. An Alex Jones Update feat. Knowledge Fight Infiltrating Local Nazi Groups How Trump Rigged an FBI Investigation for Brett Kavanaugh Economists Win Worst Nobel Prize Yet, Asked to Please Stop Charlie Kirk vs College Students You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! http://apple.co/coolerzone See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

32 snips
Oct 24, 2024 • 49min
Part Two: The History of American Masculinity Grifters
Delve into the quirky world of modern masculinity, from mid-century icons like Charles Atlas to the absurdity of today's fitness influencers. The hosts humorously explore how insecurities are exploited in marketing, while critiquing the evolving definitions of manhood. They tackle contemporary issues like Gamergate and the commercialization of male identity, blending historical perspectives with wit. Tune in for an entertaining analysis of masculinity that challenges outdated ideals and reflects on how cultural changes impact men's lives.