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PODCAST

Factual America

Factual America examines America through the lens of documentary filmmaking. Guests include Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning documentary filmmakers and producers, their subjects, as well as experts on the American experience. Find out more about the current and upcoming documentaries on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Sky Documentaries and other platforms directly from the creators. Whether we discuss true crime, music, burning social and political topics, history, or arts,

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

00:26:02

Inside Nightmares of Nature: The Scariest Nature...

Factual America ·

2025/10/30

In this episode, we dive into the making of Nightmares of Nature, the hit Netflix nature documentary that turns the lens toward the eerie, emotional, and often terrifying side of the natural world. We speak with Charlotte Lathane to explore how the filmmaking team blended horror aesthetics with real wildlife stories, creating a show that challenges how we see the planet.Timecodes: 00:00 – Introduction to Nightmares of Nature03:18 – Exploring the Concept of The Series05:41 – The Art of Dramatised

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00:36:29

The Perfect Neighbour | Florida Shooting True Crime...

Factual America ·

2025/10/18

The Perfect Neighbor documentary tells the shocking true story of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Black mother of four who was fatally shot by her neighbour Susan Lorincz in Florida. In this exclusive interview, director Geeta Gandbhir and Pamela Dias, Ajike’s mother, discuss how the film reconstructs the tragedy through police body-cam footage, 911 calls, and interrogation tapes. They unpack how a neighbourhood dispute spiraled into violence, exposing the failings of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.Director

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00:33:12

The Dalai Lama: How to Be Truly Happy (and Why Most...

Factual America ·

2025/10/15

This documentary with the Dalai Lama, Wisdom of Happiness, takes us inside His Holiness’s powerful message for a world in crisis. In this exclusive interview with director Barbara Miller, we explore how compassion, peace, and emotional resilience can guide us through climate change, conflict, and chaos — and why happiness might be humanity’s most radical act.

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00:51:48

America’s 20-Year Lie: What Bodyguard of Lies Reveals

Factual America ·

2025/09/24

Explore the shocking truth behind the Afghanistan War in our deep dive into Bodyguard of Lies. We uncover decades of government deception and falsehoods, featuring never-before-seen insider testimonies that reveal how the public was misled. We speak with director Dan Krauss about making the documentary and exposing the cover-up behind one of the longest wars in U.S. history.If you’re interested in uncovering hidden truths, understanding U.S. foreign policy failures, or learning what really happened

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00:16:51

The Future of Free Speech: Who Will Win?

Factual America ·

2025/09/22

In this Letter From Britain episode of Factual America, our host Matthew reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for free speech, political extremism, and the state of democracy in America and beyond.We examine the rise of political extremism, the media’s role in shaping the narrative, and how leaders from Bernie Sanders to Robert Redford have spoken out about the urgent need for civil discourse.Timecodes: 00:00 – Intro00:20 – The assassination of Charlie Kirk01:30 –

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00:55:53

Political Extremism in Focus: Luigi-ism, Riots, and...

Factual America ·

2025/09/12

This interview was recorded before the news of Charlie Kirk’s murder, but its insights into political violence and radicalisation remain highly relevant.Max Horder discusses the phenomenon of 'Luigi-ism', a term he coined to describe a troubling trend of left-wing violence and its cultural implications. He explains how Luigi Mangione became a cultural icon to the far left, reflecting a growing acceptance of violence in political discourse. The discussion also contrasts left-wing and

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00:51:33

The Cartoonist Who Changed American Politics Forever

Factual America ·

2025/09/09

Political cartoons, satire, and US presidents collide in the new documentary A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant. We interview Bill Banowsky on how one of the world’s most fearless cartoonists shaped politics and public opinion across five decades and ten presidencies. In this episode of Factual America, we look at the power of satire in American democracy, Oliphant’s lasting influence, and why his art remains so relevant today. If you’re interested in political art, journalism, or

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00:40:42

A Catfish Story That Went Too Far

Factual America ·

2025/09/05

Netflix’s latest true crime documentary, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, dives into one of the most disturbing high school “catfish” scandals ever exposed. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with director Skye Borgman to uncover how a teenager was lured into a devastating web of lies and manipulation by an online predator.If you’re obsessed with Netflix true crime, catfishing scandals, or the dark side of social media, this is an unmissable conversation.#TrueCrime #NetflixTrueCrime

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00:41:49

America’s Team: The Story That Built, and Broke, the...

Factual America ·

2025/08/20

The Dallas Cowboys, Netflix, America’s Team, the NFL, Jerry Jones, and the (un)making of a modern football dynasty – we dive into all these topics in this episode featuring Chapman and Maclain Way, the Emmy-winning filmmakers behind Netflix’s new sports docuseries America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.Known for Wild Wild Country, Kings of Tupelo and Untold, the Way brothers break down how the Cowboys became America’s most iconic, and controversial, team. From behind-the-scenes drama to media

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00:37:04

The Biggest Loser: Weight Loss Scandals & Controversies

Factual America ·

2025/08/19

The Biggest Loser, Netflix, reality TV, weight loss, fitness culture, diet industry, TV scandal.Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, a Netflix docuseries directed by Skye Borgman, exposes the dark side of one of television’s most controversial shows. We dive into the harsh truths behind the cameras, the toll on contestants’ lives, and how the series reshaped America’s ideas about weight and wellness.If you want the real story behind the headlines, this episode is a must-watch. Fit for TV:

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00:42:46

Storm Area 51: The Meme That Shook the Military

Factual America ·

2025/07/29

Storm Area 51 – viral meme, US military, internet conspiracy, aliens, UFOs, Nevada desert, Facebook event, true story. In 2019, a joke Facebook post about storming Area 51 went viral and triggered a full-scale media frenzy that put the US military on high alert. What started as an internet meme turned into a real-world phenomenon that captured the world’s attention.In this episode, we speak with Jack MacInnes, director of the latest Trainwreck episode covering the Storm Area 51 event. He breaks down

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00:34:29

The Real Story Behind P.I. Moms: Cop’s Drug Ring Exposed

Factual America ·

2025/07/23

This episode uncovers the explosive story behind P.I. Moms, an early 2000s reality TV show about everyday mothers working as private investigators. Through a tell-all documentary, we investigate the drug scandal that rocked the series and ultimately led to its downfall.Join us as we reveal how the scandal sabotaged the show and impacted the lives and careers of its stars, including Carl Marino of Homicide Hunter fame. If you love true crime and reality TV exposés, this episode is a must-listen.00:00

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00:11:51

America vs. Britain: The Ultimate Showdown of...

Factual America ·

2025/07/23

As an American living in the UK, Matthew Sherwood unpacks what Independence Day really means from across the pond—and what it reveals about the growing divide between the US and UK. From political chaos to economic stagnation, he explores why the two nations feel increasingly out of sync.The episode also dives into the rise of political disruptors like Nigel Farage and Elon Musk, before teasing what’s next for the podcast: bold new formats and fresh perspectives.Timestamps00:00 - Independence Day

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00:41:39

Balloon Boy Hoax EXPLAINED | The Truth Behind the...

Factual America ·

2025/07/18

In 2009, the world stopped to watch a homemade UFO float across the Colorado skies – with a 6-year-old boy believed to be trapped inside. The “Balloon Boy” story gripped a nation…and then the shocking truth came out.In this episode, we speak with Gillian Pachter, director of the hit Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, to uncover what really happened behind the scenes of one of the most bizarre media frenzies in modern history.

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00:38:41

The Shark Whisperer: Ocean Ramsey on Fear, Sharks &...

Factual America ·

2025/07/05

Shark conservationist Ocean Ramsey is world-famous for swimming with sharks to challenge fear and promote marine conservation.In this episode, we speak with JP Stiles and Harrison Macks, directors of the Netflix documentary Shark Whisperer, about Ramsey’s mission to protect sharks, the power of viral ocean activism, and why these apex predators are so misunderstood.Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmericaTimestamps:00:00 – Intro01:13 – Film synopsis02:40 – Who is Ocean

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00:40:46

Poop Cruise: Inside the Cruise Ship Horror Story

Factual America ·

2025/06/26

Poop Cruise. Disaster. Documentary. In this unmissable episode, we sit down with the director, James Ross, behind the new Trainwreck episode diving into the infamous 2013 Carnival cruise from hell. With raw insight and behind-the-scenes revelations, we explore how an engine fire left 4,000 passengers stranded at sea with no power, no plumbing, and nowhere to go – transforming a dream vacation into a floating nightmare. Tune in for the wild backstory, unseen footage, and what really went down during

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00:34:07

Mayor of Mayhem: Inside Toronto's Insane Political...

Factual America ·

2025/06/20

Rob Ford, Toronto mayor, and scandal – we dive deep into the chaos of the new Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem, with director Shianne Brown. From political rise to crack-smoking infamy, this episode unpacks how a beloved yet controversial figure shook Canadian politics – and why his story still matters today. Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmericaTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction03:55 – Who Was Rob Ford?09:55 – Scandals & Controversies12:26 – The Downfall

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00:38:51

ASTROWORLD: The Truth Behind the Tragedy

Factual America ·

2025/06/12

One of the deadliest music festivals in recent history, the 2021 Astroworld tragedy left 10 dead and thousands traumatised. Now, a powerful new documentary uncovers what really happened – with first-hand accounts from survivors, paramedics, and festival staff.In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the film with director Yemi Bamiro and executive producer Kari Lia, as they reveal how they navigated trauma, and uncovered systemic failures behind the disaster.Subscribe to Factual America:

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00:39:52

Cyanide, Panic & Pills: Shocking Truth Behind the...

Factual America ·

2025/05/27

In this exclusive interview, we speak to Yotam Guendelman and Ari Pines, the directors of the latest Netflix true crime documentary, which uncovers the chilling details behind the 1982 Tylenol poisonings – a case that shook America. With cyanide-laced pills, and a suspect who was never charged, the Chicago Tylenol murders remain one of the most disturbing unsolved crimes in US history. We explore the evidence, media panic and legacy of this case that undermined Americans’ trust in pharmaceutical

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00:26:54

Inside the True Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden

Factual America ·

2025/05/14

Osama bin Laden, CIA, and the manhunt that changed history. In this interview with award-winning directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan of American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, we uncover the untold truths behind one of the most intense and dangerous global manhunts.Explore rare footage, insider interviews, and shocking revelations about the CIA’s pursuit of Osama bin Laden. How did the mission unfold? What went wrong? And what secrets are still hidden about the operation that led to the historic

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191 results

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