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
5 snips
Mar 19, 2024 • 1h 4min
Part One: The Dennis the Menace Creator was a Shockingly Bad Man
Delve into the shocking life of Dennis the Menace creator, Hank Ketcham, and how his personal struggles tainted his world-famous cartoon. Explore ethical dilemmas in art, labor issues in animation, and the sacrifices for creative success. Uncover the harsh childhood of the cartoonist, his journey to Disney, early days of Disney animation, and Disney's role in wartime propaganda. Discover the birth of Dennis the Menace amidst strained marriage, neglectful parenting, and a strange coincidence with another character.
Mar 16, 2024 • 2h 59min
It Could Happen Here Weekly 122
Exploring conspiracy theories and predictive programming in Hollywood, including symbolism in popular culture and recent movies. Delving into humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli forces' atrocities, and migrant impacts on private property. Navigating anti-immigrant sentiments through a religious lens and community support initiatives. Wrapping up with gratitude and sponsor ads for T-Mobile, Cox Internet, Grainger, and TCL Roku TV.
11 snips
Mar 14, 2024 • 1h 22min
Part Four: The Terrible Secret of Steve Jobs
Exploring Steve Jobs' impact on the music industry and his outsourcing to China, revealing worker exploitation. Delving into controversial figures and dark consequences of tech innovations. Reflecting on facing consequences and seeking redemption, while touching on cancer treatment choices and his passing.
37 snips
Mar 12, 2024 • 1h 15min
Part Three: The Terrible Secret of Steve Jobs
Exploring Steve Jobs' impact on Apple, failed product launches, and near destruction. Discussion on rebellion, charisma, and innovation. Intriguing insights into his manipulative tendencies and leadership style. Humorous take on the toilet foot bath saga. Clash of visions and tech borrowing at Apple. Persuasion tactics to secure John Scully's partnership. Exploring Jobs as a manipulative cult leader and the significance of the 1984 ad. The rise and fall of the Macintosh and Wozniak's departure from Apple. Personal reflections and tech turmoil in the mid-80s.
Mar 9, 2024 • 2h 49min
It Could Happen Here Weekly 121
Exploring the rise and historical significance of self-immolation as a form of protest, highlighting incidents in Israel, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Tibet. Discussing complexities of activism in Taiwan and Tibet, comparisons with Mongolia, and challenges in revolting against China. Delving into the tragedy of overwork culture in China, controversies surrounding Shot Spotter technology, and censorship of Palestinian voices on social media. Unpacking legal complexities, selective prosecution claims, and judicial chaos in legal proceedings.
28 snips
Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 6min
Part Two: The Terrible Secret of Steve Jobs
The podcast explores Steve Jobs' attempts to cheat the welfare system, his emotional support from an old girlfriend and advice from a Zen Buddhist monk. It delves into Apple's early days, Wozniak's sacrifices, Jobs' denial of paternity, and the dynamics of Silicon Valley tech culture.
21 snips
Mar 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
Part One: The Terrible Secret of Steve Jobs
Exploring the enigmatic figure of Steve Jobs, his origins and influences, the early years of his tech icon status, and his unlikely partnership with Steve Wozniak. Revealing disrespectful encounters, murder mysteries, unconventional dietary habits, and betrayal by Jobs, showcasing the multifaceted persona of the tech legend.
Mar 2, 2024 • 3h 34min
It Could Happen Here Weekly 120
Exploring the rise and controversies of PDD, the evolution of a popular Chinese shopping app, the rise of rural influencers in China, the dark underbelly of Chinese e-commerce, the disturbing operating practices of a company, the use of prison slave labor and systemic human exploitation in US firms, the cultural appropriation of Palestinian cuisine, championing Arab representation and advocating for peace in Palestine, legal proceedings of individuals involved in extremist groups, societal collapse and its stages
Mar 1, 2024 • 47min
How The Winklevoss Twins Lost A Billion Dollars
Discover how the Winklevoss twins lost over a billion dollars in a shady loan scheme at their cryptocurrency exchange. From being conned by Mark Zuckerberg to conning thousands into trusting the worst investor, this episode explores the rise and fall of a scandalous financial venture.
7 snips
Feb 29, 2024 • 1h 7min
Part Two: TB Joshua: The Evangelical Pastor Who Built His Own Hell
Unveiling the manipulative tactics of an evangelical pastor who preyed on vulnerable individuals through deceit, sexual abuse, and forced pregnancies. Explore the exploitation of vulnerable communities, the pastor's fortified compound, and his controversial responses to crises. Reflect on the consequences of his actions and the uncertain future of his church.
