Do you have a small fortune parked in your basement? Six decades ago, Hot Wheels were America’s hottest new toy. Now the children of the ‘60s are fueling a small but mighty collectors' market. Cars that originally sold for under a dollar now command five figures. Today we meet some of the hobby's most prolific figures and find out what cars they're still chasing.  VERY SPECIAL CREDITSToday's episode was produced in conjunction with Celia Aniskovich’s Dial Tone Films. Written by: Lucas ReillyHosts: Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishEditing and Sound Design: Josh Fisher  Producers: Karl Keadle and Josh FisherAdditional Production Support: Marisa Brown, Mary Dooe, and Ramsey YountMixing and Mastering: Baheed FrazierOriginal Music: Elise McCoyResearch and  Fact-Checking:  by Celia Aniskovich, Lucas Reilly, and Austin Thompson    Show Logo: Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer: Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it. Note: Please do not steal Baby Jesus. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Chris ChildsVoice Actors: Jonathan Washington, Chris Childs, Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, Josh Fisher, and Zaron BurnettOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! We'll have one more episode in 2024 next Monday. If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who's the artificial Christmas tree king? Meet Si Spiegel, a Jewish kid from New York with a remarkable, improbable Christmas story. Si's story was first brought to light by Laurie Gwen Shapiro in her 2021 New York Times feature, "He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets, and Modernized Christmas." Laurie Gwen Shapiro kindly shared her extensive notes for this episode. Her next book, The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage That Made an American Icon, will be published by Viking in July 2025. Learn more at LaurieGwenShapiro.com.ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL THANKS Kevin C. Fitzpatrick is author of World War One New York and 7 other books tied to New York City history. Kevin's also a public historian and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Learn more at FitzpatrickAuthor.com. *  VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Dave Roos and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Want to listen to other VSEs written by Dave Roos? Check out 'The Shot' (episode 16) and 'The Pledge' (episode 4). If you're enjoying the show and want to do something nice this holiday season, leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy Industrial Complex — AKA Big Parma.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.  Today’s Episode Was Written and Hosted by Very Special Guest Stars Ben Bowlin and Alex French Producer is Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs Additional Editing by Mary Dooe Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier Original Music by Elise McCoy  Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla   Executive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1987, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a glimmer in Stan Lee's eye, Marvel promised a different kind of blockbuster: Spider-Man and Mary Jane would get married. Not just in the comics — in front of 51,000 screaming fans at Shea Stadium. And those fans were not happy about it. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors: Katie Mattie, Chris Childs, and Josh FisherOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Jake Rossen and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A waste management specialist unearths thousands of Atari games buried in a New Mexico landfill. As gaming historians rejoice, he plots to turn Atari’s unwanted trash into cash. Note: This week's VSE is a bonus episode from the podcast The Legend of SwordQuest, hosted by Jamie Loftus and written by Jake Rossen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1981, 11-year-old Matt De Meritt got a phone call that would change his life. He wasn’t a child actor, or a performer of any kind. He was just a suburban kid enjoying his summer before he had to go back to school. But Matt had something no other kid had — something Steven Spielberg needed in order to embark on his most ambitious movie yet.  On the Very Special Episodes podcast, Dana, Zaron, and Jason tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Note: This episode contains discussions of suicide. Please take care while listening. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Mary Dooe, Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors are Jess Krainchich and Juliet EnglishOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Jake Rossen and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Special thanks to Simon Brew. Check out the Film Stories podcast! Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart ducked out of a White House event and commandeered a plane. The First Lady and the first lady of aviation flew to Baltimore and back. The event was documented by journalists, and later recounted in books. But there was more to this spontaneous joyride that didn't make the papers.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dylan HeuerProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Dylan Heuer and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. But her biggest mystery unfolded outside the pages of her books. Today Dana examines the 11 days in 1926 when the beloved author went missing, and the rollicking media circus inspired by her disappearance. On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe PompeoProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors are Brittany Joyner and Steve BradfordOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Joe Pompeo and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eugene Bullard would not let America diminish him. So he left to find a place that would let him live free — and found freedom in the skies. On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishSpecial Thanks to Zaron's PopsWritten by Zaron BurnettProduced by Josh FisherStory Editors are Marisa Brown and Ryan MurdockEditing and Sound Design by Chris Childs and Josh FisherAdditional Editing by Emily MarinoffMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors are Jonathan Washington and Chris ChildsOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Zaron Burnett and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1834, the Three Kichis were on a routine journey to deliver rice to Tokyo. But when a typhoon interfered, they were swept out into the Pacific for 5,000 miles — and became the first Japanese people in the Pacific Northwest. But that was only a single moment in one of history’s most amazing journeys. The trio would end up going halfway around the world and back again, seeing things they never could have imagined, accidental pioneers in a world on the precipice of being transformed. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Bess LovejoyProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Meredith Danko, Bess Lovejoy, and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In late 1998, a furry, nonsense-babbling creature arrived on the toy scene. The Furby could squeal, snore, sneeze, and … learn to speak English? Immediately upon release, thousands were backordered. Fights broke out in stores. The early internet lit up with conspiracy theories. And Furby was actually banned from the National Security Agency for its alleged potential for espionage. For today’s episode, we partnered with Celia Aniskovich’s Dial Tone Films to tell the ultimate toy story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greetings, VSE listeners! Dana, Zaron, and Jason will be back in October with another season. In the meantime, we wanted to share a new podcast from several members of the Very Special team. Introducing, The Legend of SwordQuest! Episode One: The Sword and the Stoned.  In the early 1980s, Atari is one of the biggest entertainment brands in the world and seeks to promote the biggest video game contest to date, promising $150,000 in prizes. But what starts out as a promising adventure quickly devolves into chaos. Then head over to the SwordQuest feed wherever you get your podcasts and follow along: https://landing.podtrac.com/thelegendofswordquest  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first half of the 20th century, athletes weren't the only ones competing for Olympic glory. Today's episode takes us back to an era when artists, poets, and even city planners battled for medals — and the messy in-fighting that threatened to tear the art world apart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bar fight and a stint on the lam transformed Samuel Clemens into Mark Twain — and changed the course of American literature. Settle in for Mark Twain's origin story.   * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design: Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering: Baheed FrazierStory Editor: Marisa BrownResearch and Fact-Checking: Austin Thompson and Zaron BurnettVoice Actors: Frank Nemec, Zack Nemec, Elizabeth Dutton, and Jonathan WashingtonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer: Jason English Special thanks to Bob Hirst from the Mark Twain Archive at UC Berkeley, and Joseph Amster from Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine. Want to email the show? We'd love to hear from you. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1904 St. Louis Olympics featured the strangest sporting event in history. During the marathon, runners paused for naps, got chased by dogs, went apple picking, and doped with rat poison — all while being unwitting participants in a cruel scientific experiment. * Thanks for listening! Our next episode comes out Wednesday, June 26th. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Lucas ReillyProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design: Emily MarinoffMixing and Mastering: Baheed FrazierStory Editor: Marisa BrownResearch and Fact-Checking: Austin Thompson and Lucas ReillyMedal-Worthy Voice-Acting: Karl Keadle and Josh FisherOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer: Jason English Want to email the show? Go for it. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mykal Riley’s name isn’t mentioned alongside the likes of Steph Curry or Larry Bird. But neither of those guys can say they hit a three-pointer that literally saved thousands of lives. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy was a French countess with a dubious claim to nobility and one brilliant idea: she was going to steal a diamond necklace from Louis XVI. After weaseling her way into court, Jeanne impersonates Marie Antoinette in a series of letters, starts a tabloid scandal, and inadvertently lights the fuse of the French Revolution. *On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishResearch, Writing, and Interviews for today’s episode provided by Wonder Media NetworkProduced by Josh Fisher Story Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Emily MarinoffMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors: Coco-Margeaux Rodale and Tom AntonellisOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Special thanks to Jenny Kaplan, Emily Rudder, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, and Lauren Williams. Thanks for listening! You don't owe us any favors. But if you enjoy the show and want to do us one anyway, could you head over to your favorite podcast platform(s) and leave us a rating?  Now you can email the show: veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Very Special Episodes Fans! Take a listen to the trailer of our newest show Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) About the show: Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) is a weekly show from Jamie Loftus that takes a closer look at the internet’s main characters – one part reported, one part interviews, and one part Jamie collapsing her permanently internet-damaged brain. Whether it’s an enduring meme or a dreaded Character of the Day distinction, it’s the kind of notoriety that often results in little money, unwarranted attention, and a confusing blurred line of consent. What do you do when you get more attention and judgement than any one person is built to handle? The Sixteenth Minute of Fame is the place where we figure that out, putting people in the context of the moment they've been frozen inside of. Listen here and subscribe to Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we present a smattering of stories you might have missed. If you've inhaled all these, email us — veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com — and we'll recommend something else worth your time. Operation Lunar EclipseApple • Spotify • iHeart Boat TripApple • Spotify • iHeart The PledgeApple • Spotify • iHeart Old Man on CampusApple • Spotify • iHeart Seed WarsApple • Spotify • iHeart We're back with a new episode on May 15th!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha's Vineyard once was a place you could gossip with neighbors, shop for supplies, or play a cutthroat game of cards — all without saying a word. That's because it had a thriving Deaf community. Residents, Deaf and hearing alike, communicated with a unique version of sign language that predates ASL. But it's mostly forgotten today.  Today we dig into Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) and the folks who are working to keep its history. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joanna Sokolowski and Julia SmithAdditional Writing by Marisa BrownProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Josh ThaneMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editors are Abbey Stone and Marisa BrownResearch and Fact-Checking by Meredith Danko, Austin Thompson, Joanna Sokolowski, and Julia SmithOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Oral history clips with Eric Cottle, Everett Poole, Sydney Harris, and Jane Slater are excerpted from interviews conducted with Linsey Lee, Martha's Vineyard Museum Oral History Curator. Courtesy of the Martha's Vineyard Museum.  ASL interpretation for Nyle DiMarco by Grey Van Pelt. Thanks for listening! You don't owe us any favors. But if you enjoy the show and want to do us one anyway, could you head over to your favorite podcast platform(s) and leave us a rating? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now thousands of people are on a mathematical treasure hunt from the comfort of their home offices. Our own Zaron Burnett is one of them. Here's how you can join him — and compete for $50,000. *On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Lucas ReillyProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Emily MarinoffMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Lucas ReillySpecial Thanks to Voice Actor Karl KeadleOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! You don't owe us any favors. But if you enjoy the show and want to do us one anyway, could you head over to your favorite podcast platform(s) and leave us a rating? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1870s, Palisade, NV was the meanest little town west of the Mississippi. Every week, newspapers announced another gunpowder-fueled cowboy showdown. Palisade put the wild in the “Wild West.” But there was a lot more to the story that didn’t make the papers. * Very Special Episodes is a podcast with a simple premise: we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Lucas ReillyProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Lucas ReillyVoice Actors: Josh Fisher, Zaron Burnett, Karl KeadleOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the summer of 2016, the entire world was going crazy for a new mobile game. All these years later, it’s easy to forget the wildest part about Pokémon GO: the whole thing began as an April Fools’ joke. * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story each week. Episodes usually go up on Wednesdays. We made an exception for April Fools' Day. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced, Edited and Sound Designed by Josh FisherAdditional Editing by Jonathan WashingtonStory Editor is Marisa BrownMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Superman fan in Illinois is horrified to discover his entire stockpile of memorabilia has gone missing. As police search for the thief, the collecting community delivers their own brand of justice. * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast with a simple premise: we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Jake RossenOriginal Music by Elise McCoy and Aaron KaufmanShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event. The greatest botany rivalry in history! It's Vavilov vs. Lysenko for the fate of the Soviet Union.  In the 1920s and '30s, Nikolai Vavilov was a big deal. He was studying seed genetics and learning how to prevent famines. Everyone wanted to work with him. Including a young kid named Trofim Lysenko.   Lysenko studied with Vavilov. They were friends. But years later, Lysenko turned on his mentor, and turned against science. This became a problem, because Lysenko was good buddies with Stalin. The feud would bring the Soviet Union to its knees. And it would force Vavilov to make a fateful choice: one between the truth … or his life.   * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast with a simple premise: we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Lucas ReillyProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsAdditional Editing by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editor is Josh FisherResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Lucas ReillyVoice Actors: Tom Antonellis, Zaron Burnett, Josh Fisher, and Chris ChildsOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Hear Also...Noble Blood: Catherine the Great and Her Husband the MediocreNoble Blood: The Ice QueenRidiculous Crime: Dope Floats: The Uncrashable Gary Betzner Further Reading...Check out two excellent sources: Peter Pringle's great book on Vavilov, and the essential Where Our Food Comes From by Gary Nabhan. Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Very Special Episodes is a new podcast hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. In 2011, after many delays, one of the most anticipated musicals in theater history finally opened on Broadway. The show was Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The powerhouse creative team included an up-and-coming playwright, a MacArthur Genius, and Bono. But its downfall would be long and treacherous. Here's the story of what went wrong — and why we're still pushing for a revival. Go follow Very Special Episodes! Drop in on the night someone poisoned the cast and crew of James Cameron's Titanic; unravel a 130-year-old mystery surrounding the Pledge of Allegiance; go inside the illicit black market moon rock trade. And more! * CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe KinosianProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsAdditional Editing by Emily MarinoffMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editors are Josh Fisher and Marisa BrownResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Joe KinosianOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English If you're enjoying the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest Nancy Drew mystery isn’t hidden in the plots of the books. It’s right there on the cover. If “Carolyn Keene” is a pseudonym, who really wrote the series? For 50 years, two women laid claim to that title. And in 1980, with help from an amateur detective, the truth came out in court. * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettProducer, Editor, and Sound Designer is Josh Fisher Additional Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editor is Marisa BrownResearch and Fact-Checking by Jocelyn Sears, Austin Thompson, Marisa Brown, and Zaron BurnettOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Special thanks to Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, and Josh Fisher for their elite voiceover work. And to Geoffrey Lapin and Melanie Rehak for sharing their stories. Go check out Melanie's book!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With help from "Leap Day Lady" Raenell Dawn, Dana Schwartz makes the case for making Leap Day a national holiday.  * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story each week. We're back with a full episode next Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Josh ThaneResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Dave RoosOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Episode, Dana, Zaron and Jason tackle a 130-year-old mystery. Although American schoolchildren still recite The Pledge every morning in nearly every classroom, we still aren't sure who actually wrote it. And all these years later, the long-accepted story is showing some cracks. * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editor is Aaron EdwardsResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Dave RoosOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a middle-aged manual laborer goes back to school to turn his life around, he’s reborn as a college football standout. But as midlife crises go, this one is going to hurt. (Portions of today's episode were recorded on Radio Row in Las Vegas before Super Bowl 58.)  * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced, Edited and Sound Designed by Josh FisherAdditional Editing by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Special thanks to Aaron Kaufman and Kurt Garin!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a teenage astronomy fan is gifted a piece of the moon by NASA, he’s inadvertently pulled into the seedy underground moonrock trade. But don’t worry. With help from H. Ross Perot, NASA secret agents are on the case. * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story every week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow Zaron, Dana, and Jason down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced, Edited and Sound Designed by Josh FisherAdditional Editing by John WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyStory Editing by Marisa BrownResearch and Fact-Checking by Marisa Brown, Austin Thompson, and Jake RossenShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the last day of filming in Nova Scotia, someone poisoned the cast and crew of James Cameron’s Titanic with PCP. Bedlam ensued on a tight-knit set. Everyone became a suspect. Almost three decades later, we unravel a ‘90s Hollywood mystery. * Very Special Episodes is a new podcast where we tell one incredible story every week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie!” Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Katie MattieProduced, Edited and Sound Designed by Josh FisherAdditional Editing by John WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact-Checking by Marisa Brown, Austin Thompson, and Katie MattieShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Very Special Episodes, an anthology of outrageous stories pulled from history and pop culture. Each immersive tale feels like a movie. Very Special Episodes will have you telling your friends and co-workers, "I just heard the craziest story on a podcast."  Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.