SNAFU with Ed Helms

Discover the fascinating history behind the Prohibition era and the surprising role of the IRS in enforcing it. Hear about Mabel Walker Willebrandt, a trailblazing attorney who faced sexism while navigating the chaotic landscape of alcohol laws. Explore the cultural conflicts of immigrant communities and the impact of societal fears during this turbulent time. The discussion also highlights how these historical events resonate with modern-day dilemmas, offering insights into leadership and personal growth.

Deborah Blum, an acclaimed author known for 'The Poisoner's Handbook,' delves into the intriguing world of 1920s Prohibition-era New York. She shares the tragic tale of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke, whose life was overwhelmed by the chaos of the time. Blum discusses the groundbreaking work of scientists Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler in combating wood alcohol poisoning amidst a backdrop of systemic corruption. Their efforts reveal the dark realities of public health during this tumultuous period, emphasizing the urgent need for forensic reform.

This is the story of Prohibition you haven't heard. Sure, Prohibition was a gigantic SNAFU to begin with. But it turns out Prohibition was actually darker than any of us could have imagined. Flappers and jazz? Not the full picture.Season 3 of SNAFU follows an unlikely pair of sleuths trying to uncover what was behind a mass wave of deadly poisonings that killed thousands of people during Prohibition. Why were so many people dying when they imbibed? And what do gun-slinging Prohibition agents, Washington politicians, and a raging culture war have to do with it? Find out on SNAFU Season 3: Formula 6. Preorder the SNAFU book and join me on book tour at www.snafu-book.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we're hard at work on season 3 of SNAFU, we’re excited to revisit a pivotal moment from Season 1 with a special bonus episode of GREATEST ESCAPES. Produced by the same folks behind SNAFU, it's a brand new podcast covering history’s wildest true escape stories of all time. Ed joins host Arturo Castro this week to dive deeper into the bonkers escape of Oleg Gordievsky, the Cold War double-agent who helped avoid nuclear annihilation during Able Archer 83 and was able to slip through the clutches of the KGB. Greatest Escapes is produced by iHeartPodcasts and FilmNation Entertainment in association with Gilded Audio. Please listen and follow here: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-greatest-escapes-259897937/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exciting news from SNAFU headquarters: our first book is coming out April 29, 2025. It's called SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History's Greatest Screwups. Spanning from the 1950’s to the 2000’s, Ed Helms steps in as unofficial history teacher with a loving tribute to humanity’s finest faceplants, diving into each decade’s craziest SNAFUs. From planting nukes on the moon to training felines as CIA spies to weaponizing the weather, this book will unpack the incredibly ironic decision-making and hilariously terrifying aftermath of America’s biggest mishaps. Make sure to preorder your copy now at SNAFU-Book.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the SNAFU Team is hard at work on our next season, we are excited to share the first episode of a new season from our friends at Slow Burn. On Season 10, host Josh Levin takes you back to a crucial inflection point in American history: the moment between 2000 and 2004 when Fox News first surged to power and a whole bunch of people rose up to try and stop it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COINTELPRO was shut down in 1971, and J. Edgar Hoover died in 1972. But the agency's dirty tricks continued in the years directly following the Media Burglary. Nowhere is this more evident than in the FBI's interactions with the American Indian Movement. Scholar, historian, and podcast host Nick Estes joins SNAFU to talk about how COINTELPRO and Hoover's legacy permeated the FBI, from the Wounded Knee Occupation in 1973 to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock in 2016/2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Church Committee Staffer Loch Johnson helps us dig deeper into the Church Committee Hearings to cover the appalling findings we didn't get to in Episode 7 of our season. Then, he takes us straight through to present day surveillance, where we try to answer the question: Where is the right balance between citizen rights and national security? Do we even have any privacy left anymore?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Welch, a lead FBI agent known for his transformative work in Philadelphia, joins the discussion on the FBI's evolving practices and historical surveillance tactics. They dive into Judy Feingold's haunting legacy following a pivotal FBI document burglary, exploring the personal toll of paranoia. Welch shares insights on the agency's quest for accountability amidst modern security measures and highlights the enduring spirit of activism against governmental power. The conversation weaves through true crime narratives, emphasizing resilience and the fragile balance between security and civil rights.

Locke Johnson, a special assistant to Frank Church during the Church Committee hearings, sheds light on the explosive revelations of the FBI's COINTELPRO program. He discusses the shocking tactics the FBI used to suppress political dissent and discredit civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and actress Jean Seberg. Johnson emphasizes the importance of government accountability while recounting the personal toll of these covert operations. His insights highlight the lasting impact of these investigations on trust in federal institutions.