x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Very Special Episodes

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 Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.

history documentary

All Episodes

50:37

Big Bird Goes to China

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/06/04

During one of the most delicate periods for international relations, the United States sent Bob Hope to China with the ultimate wingman. Together, the two icons would play an unexpected role in bridging a massive cultural divide. * Very Special Thanks to our translator, Yixio Ren! Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dylan HeuerProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editor is Aaron EdwardsAdditional

en-US

44:16

How a Three-Point Shot Saved Thousands of Lives...

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/05/28

Mykal Riley’s name isn’t mentioned alongside Stephen 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! We'll

en-US

34:40

David Chase's Wonder Years

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/05/21

Sopranos creator David Chase wrote an episode of The Wonder Years that was deemed too intense for network television. The internet says it's because the script involved hard core drug use. But we asked the legendary TV writer, and the truth is a whole lot stranger. Thanks to Nicole Lambert of Chase Films for making today's interview happen! Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Katie MattieProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Zaron BurnettEditing and Sound Design by

en-US

50:14

The Night the Harlem Globetrotters Lost

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/05/14

The Harlem Globetrotters always beat the Washington Generals. It's just what they do. As of 1971, they’d done it 2,495 times. But for one gloriously confusing night that January, the underdogs got to raise their hands in victory.Today on Very Special Episodes, the untold story of the greatest upset in sports history. * Very Special Thanks to Israel Gutierrez for lending his voice, and Peter Coughter for production support. Izzy and Peter have a new show out on our NBA slate about the rise of

en-US

2:54

Introducing: What Happened to Talina Zar

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/05/10

What Happened to Talina Zar unravels the chilling mystery of a woman who vanished during the COVID-19 lockdown, the internet sleuths who wouldn’t let it go, and the dark subcultures and betrayals they unearthed. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

46:37

Operation Lunar Eclipse [Re-Release]

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/05/07

In 1973, NASA gifted a piece of the moon to a teenage astronomy fan, inadvertently pulling him into the seedy underground moonrock trade. Hello VSE friends! We published a new episode on Monday, so we're playing a rerun in our regular Wednesday slot. 'Operation Lunar Eclipse' is one of our early favorites and originally ran in February 2024. Questions or comments? You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

15:17

The Popsicle Kings of Mexico

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/05/05

Happy Cinco de Mayo! To celebrate, Zaron Burnett is here with a mini-episode about the frozen treat that is quietly and quickly taking over the world. * Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Jonathan WashingtonAdditional Editing by Mary DooeOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for

en-US

67:59

North by North Korea

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/04/30

When two of the most influential figures in film become the personal hostages of Kim Jong Il, they have two objectives: to elevate North Korean cinema on the world stage, and to plot their daring escape. SOURCES + FURTHER READING/LISTENING/VIEWING A Kim Jong-Il Production, by Paul FisherThe Observant, by Ravi ManglaMichelle Cho, assistant professor, University of Toronto"Are You There Godzilla? It's Me, Kim Jong Il" [Ridiculous Crime podcast]Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, U.S. State

en-US

49:44

Spies and Dolls

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/04/23

Velvalee Dickinson ran a doll shop on Madison Avenue that catered to wealthy collectors. But in one of the strangest espionage cases of World War II, Dickinson's clients had no idea she was using correspondence about doll orders to transmit coded U.S. military intelligence to the Japanese. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe PompeoProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierResearch

en-US

31:15

The Pizza Funeral

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/04/16

On a cold day in 1973, a crowd gathered on a farm for one of history's strangest funerals. It was an elite group, including the Governor of Michigan, bank presidents, and local dignitaries. Even Walter Cronkite sent a correspondent. But they weren’t mourning anyone human. No, this was a pizza-based catastrophe. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Bess LovejoyProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and

en-US

50:32

Happy 100th, Old Sport! Making Gatsby Great

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/04/09

When he published The Great Gatsby 100 years ago this week,F. Scott Fitzgerald thought he'd written the Great American Novel. But it was a commercial flop. The year Fitzgerald died, he received a royalty check for a paltry seven copies. It would take an unlikely series of events to posthumously pluck a masterpiece from obscurity. * Very special thanks to Molly Guptill Manning. Go check out When Books Went to War. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe PompeoProduced

en-US

37:57

The Improbable Life and Mysterious Death of Andy, the...

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/04/02

Gene Fleming and his pet goose Andy made headlines around the world. They brought out the best in the people of Hastings, Nebraska. But amid all this attention, Andy also brought out the worst. And three decades later, Andy's legacy is still reverberating around their hometown. Note: This episode includes the murder of a beloved goose. * Very Special thanks to Jessica Korgie for sharing her family's story with us. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Sara Schleede and

en-US

47:33

Night of a Thousand Weddings

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/03/26

On August 26, 1965, LBJ issued a surprise executive order eliminating marriage as grounds for deferment from the Vietnam draft. The unexpected announcement set off a panic across the country. But if you could somehow get married before midnight, you might be in the clear. The problem was, nearly every state required blood tests or a waiting period — every state, that is, except Nevada. Ride shotgun with Dana on the mad dash to Vegas. And join the gang on welcoming a new member to the Very

en-US

51:21

Live From New York, It's Your Grandmother

Very Special Episodes ·

2025/02/14

During its first 50 seasons, Saturday Night Live has welcomed legendary actors, superstar athletes, and notable politicians. But for one memorable night in 1977, Lorne Michaels turned the show over to an 80-year-old amateur. * Special thanks to Connie Crawford for sharing her story. And thanks to the great Bill Carter for stopping by! You can read more of his work at LateNighter, or check out his many classic books. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake

en-US

28:23

Hot Wheels of Fortune

Very Special Episodes ·

2024/12/30

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:

en-US

40:30

Big Parma

Very Special Episodes ·

2024/12/11

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

en-US

55:14

The Spider-Man Wedding

Very Special Episodes ·

2024/12/04

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

en-US

50:40

E.T. and Me

Very Special Episodes ·

2024/11/20

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. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa

en-US

43:47

The Joyride: Amelia and Eleanor's Excellent Adventure

Very Special Episodes ·

2024/11/13

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

en-US

39:03

The Case of the Missing Novelist

Very Special Episodes ·

2024/11/08

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

en-US

55 results

Similar Podcasts

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

جنود خلدهم التاريخ

ALSUMOOD PODCAST

Film History - Daily

Inception Point Ai

Madonna - Audio Biography

Inception Point Ai