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PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

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All Episodes

28:33

From Billions to Bali: The Rise, Fall, and "Zen" of...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the chaotic saga of Su Zhu and Kyle Davies, the high school classmates who founded the crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC). We track their journey from arbitrage trading to managing an estimated $10 billion in cryptocurrency assets, and the massive leverage that ultimately led to the fund’s implosion during the 2022 crash.We explore how risky bets on projects like Luna and Grayscale left the firm owing $3.5 billion to creditors, triggering a

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34:44

From Magic Cards to Missing Millions: The Rise and...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the spectacular collapse of Mt. Gox, the Tokyo-based exchange that once handled over 70% of the world's Bitcoin transactions. We trace the company’s strange evolution from a trading site for "Magic: The Gathering" cards founded by Jed McCaleb in 2006 to its pivot into cryptocurrency.We dig into the tenure of CEO Mark Karpelès, examining the security breaches and regulatory battles that plagued the platform before it abruptly halted withdrawals in early 2014

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24:59

The Celsius Meltdown: From 17% Yields to Federal Prison

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the spectacular rise and fall of Celsius Network, the cryptocurrency lender that once managed nearly $12 billion in assets. We break down how the company lured millions of customers with promises of high interest rates on crypto deposits, only to freeze all withdrawals in June 2022 amidst "extreme market conditions".Join us as we uncover:• The Business Model: How Celsius operated like a bank for crypto—taking deposits and issuing loans—while claiming to

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27:47

Mongo Santamaría – !Arriba! La Pachanga (1959)

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we explore !Arriba! La Pachanga, the 1959 studio album by legendary percussionist Mongo Santamaría. Released by Fantasy Records, this album captures a vibrant mix of Pachanga, Cuban jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. We discuss the album's stellar lineup, which features João Donato on piano, Rolando Lozano on flute, and Willie Bobo on timbales. Tune in as we break down the LP's tracks, from the opening energy of "Quindimbia" to the closing notes of "Olga Pachanga," and look at

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31:20

The $4 Billion Lie: The Rise and Fall of OneCoin

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we deep dive into OneCoin, a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme described as "one of the biggest scams in history". We explore how founders Ruja Ignatova and Sebastian Greenwood launched a massive Ponzi and pyramid scheme in 2014 that generated approximately $4 billion worldwide.Tune in as we break down the mechanics of the scam, from the sale of "educational packages" containing plagiarized content to the revelation that OneCoin lacked a blockchain and had no actual mining

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31:38

Purple Planes & $99 Fares: The Rise and Fall of Skúli...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we look at the turbulence behind WOW Air, the Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier that briefly took over the skies before its dramatic collapse.We profile founder Skúli Mogensen, a tech entrepreneur who launched the airline in 2011 with a vision to turn Iceland into the "Dubai of the north". With bright purple planes and branding that read "MOM" when flipped upside down, WOW Air disrupted the industry by offering transatlantic flights for as little as £99.Join us as we

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28:27

Lights Out: The 2000 California Electricity Crisis &...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the disastrous 2000–2001 California electricity crisis, a period where rolling blackouts left millions in the dark and wholesale energy prices spiked by 800%. We break down how a "flawed market design" and partial deregulation created the perfect storm for corporate greed, allowing companies like Enron to manipulate the grid using strategies with names like "Death Star" and "Fat Boy". Tune in to learn how this economic catastrophe forced the bankruptcy of

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32:45

Deepwater Horizon: The 87-Day Disaster

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

On April 20, 2010, a blowout on the Deepwater Horizon rig resulted in a massive explosion that killed 11 workers and triggered the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. In this episode of pplpod, we explore the catastrophe at the Macondo Prospect, where a sea-floor failure allowed oil to flow into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days.Join us as we break down:• The Warning Signs: How cost-cutting decisions and defective cement led the U.S. government to apportion blame to BP,

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34:17

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: A Legacy of Negligence

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez supertanker struck Bligh Reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, unleashing nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil into pristine waters. In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the chain of failures that led to the second-largest spill in U.S. history, from a broken radar system to a sleep-deprived crew and a captain absent from the bridge.We explore the immediate and long-term devastation caused by the disaster, including the deaths of hundreds of thousands of

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38:33

From Wall Street Darling to "Pharmaceutical Enron":...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode, we dive into the turbulent history of Bausch Health, the Canadian pharmaceutical giant formerly known as Valeant. We trace the company’s evolution from its founding in a Pasadena garage by Milan Panić to the aggressive era of CEO J. Michael Pearson, who turned the company into a platform for buying rivals—like Bausch & Lomb and Salix—and drastically hiking drug prices.We break down the scandals that caused the stock to plummet over 90%, including the notorious price increases on

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39:27

The South Sea Bubble: The Scam That Broke Britain

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

On this episode of pplpod, we investigate the rise and fall of the South Sea Company, a corporation founded in 1711 to manage Britain's national debt that spiraled into one of history’s most infamous financial bubbles. We explore the company’s dark reality as a slave-trading enterprise and how its directors utilized bribery, insider trading, and "extravagant rumours" to artificially inflate stock prices. Tune in to hear how the speculation mania of 1720 seduced investors ranging from ordinary

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27:54

The Cryptoqueen: The Rise, The Scam, and The...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

Meet Dr. Ruja Ignatova: a brilliant scholar, a charismatic entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind one of history's biggest financial frauds. In this episode, we explore how Ignatova used her credentials from Oxford and McKinsey to sell the world on OneCoin, a "Bitcoin killer" that turned out to be a massive Ponzi scheme targeting investors from China to rural Uganda.We trace her journey from a childhood in Germany to her placement on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list—where she remains with a

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37:37

The Celsius Meltdown: From $12 Billion in Assets to a...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the dramatic rise and catastrophic collapse of Celsius Network, the cryptocurrency lender that once managed nearly $12 billion in assets. Founded in 2017, Celsius promised users high yields—sometimes up to 17%—on their crypto deposits, positioning itself as a modern alternative to traditional banking.Join us as we break down:• The Freeze: How "extreme market conditions" led Celsius to indefinitely pause all transfers and withdrawals in June 2022, triggering a

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30:06

Selling the Dream: The Math, Myths, and Legality of MLMs

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the controversial world of Multi-level marketing (MLM). Often disguised as "network marketing" or "direct selling," this business model relies on a non-salaried workforce incentivized to recruit a "downline" of other distributors. We unpack the harsh financial reality behind the sales pitch, examining studies which show that at least 99% of MLM participants lose money while chasing the promise of financial independence.Join us as we discuss:• The Structure:

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31:31

Power, Peril, and Bankruptcy: The Turbulent History...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the complex and often controversial history of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Established in 1905, PG&E grew from a provider of gas lights in San Francisco to one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States, currently serving 5.2 million households.Join us as we examine the company's timeline, from surviving the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to facing the largest utility bankruptcy in U.S. history.Topics covered in this

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29:58

¡Ay, Carmela! (1990) – Vaudeville, Fascism, and the...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

This week on pplpod, we step onto the stage of the Spanish Civil War with Carlos Saura’s acclaimed 1990 tragicomedy, ¡Ay, Carmela!Join us as we break down this Goya Award-winning film that follows Carmela (Carmen Maura), Paulino (Andrés Pajares), and the mute Gustavete (Gabino Diego)—a trio of travelling vaudeville performers entertaining Republican troops in 1938. When a misty night leads them inadvertently into Nationalist territory, they are captured and forced to make a harrowing choice: face

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13:50

Explora: Albuquerque's Hub for Hands-On Discovery

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to uncover the story behind Explora, a science center located near Old Town. Join us as we discuss how this unique museum lives up to its name—the imperative Spanish form of "to explore"—by offering over 250 interactive exhibits in science, technology, and art.We breakdown the center's fascinating history, from its origins in the early 1980s and its merger with the Albuquerque Children’s Museum, to the opening of its current location

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27:21

Paul Williams: From "Rainbow Connection" to Daft Punk...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the incredible, multi-faceted career of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Paul Williams. You may know him as the diminutive actor who played Little Enos in Smokey and the Bandit or the villainous Swan in the cult classic Phantom of the Paradise, but his musical legacy defines the sound of the 1970s. We discuss how Williams penned massive hits for the Carpenters, including "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays," as well as Three Dog Night’s "An Old

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28:46

Neon Nights & Criminal Empires: The Legend of Grand...

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

Grab your pastel suits and crank up the radio—this week on pplpod, we’re heading back to the neon-soaked streets of 1986. We take a deep dive into Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the 2002 masterpiece that defined a generation of open-world gaming.In this episode, we discuss:• The Development: How Rockstar North built this massive world in just nine months, drawing heavy inspiration from Scarface and Miami Vice to create a satire of 80s excess.• The Vibe: The star-studded voice cast led by the late Ray

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13:21

"Big Minh": The General Who Surrendered Saigon

pplpod ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of pplpod, we profile Dương Văn Minh, the imposing ARVN general popularly known as "Big Minh" due to his six-foot stature. We trace his complex journey from a French colonial officer who survived Japanese torture to the man who ultimately ordered the unconditional surrender of South Vietnam.Join us as we discuss:• The Coup Maker: How Minh became a hero for dismantling the Bình Xuyên crime syndicate, only to later lead the 1963 coup that resulted in the assassination of President Ngô

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7,536 results

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