Best Horror Filmmaking Academy Podcasts (2025)

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Storm Area 51: The Meme That Shook the Military 42:46

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2d ago42:46

42:46

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 …

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The Real Story Behind P.I. Moms: Cop’s Drug Ring Exposed 34:29

8d ago34:29

34:29

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 …

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America vs. Britain: The Ultimate Showdown of Political Cultures 11:51

8d ago11:51

11:51

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…

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Balloon Boy Hoax EXPLAINED | The Truth Behind the Viral Panic 41:39

14d ago41:39

41:39

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 reall…

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The Shark Whisperer: Ocean Ramsey on Fear, Sharks & Saving the Ocean 38:41

26d ago38:41

38:41

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 ar…

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Poop Cruise: Inside the Cruise Ship Horror Story 40:46

1M ago40:46

40:46

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 …

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Mayor of Mayhem: Inside Toronto's Insane Political Scandal! 34:07

1M ago34:07

34:07

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 Ame…

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ASTROWORLD: The Truth Behind the Tragedy 38:51

2M ago38:51

38:51

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 execut…

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Cyanide, Panic & Pills: Shocking Truth Behind the Tylenol Murders 39:52

2M ago39:52

39:52

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 dis…

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Inside the True Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden 26:54

3M ago26:54

26:54

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 pur…

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Liver King: Netflix Director Reveals the Raw Truth 31:28

3M ago31:28

31:28

The Liver King built a supplement empire by devouring raw meat on social media. And he had the muscles to prove it. But how did the Liver King get so huge? Netflix director Joe Pearlman tells all. In this interview, we dig into the raw truth behind the man, the myth, and the meat-fueled machine that captivated millions.From viral fame and ancestral…

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NETFLIX Director UNVEILS Vietnam War SECRETS! 53:58

3M ago53:58

53:58

Vietnam War secrets, untold stories, and hidden history - revealed by Netflix director Brian Knappenberger and renowned historian Lien-Hang Nguyen. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, this interview uncovers new accounts from the war - from suppressed footage to shocking revelations about U.S. involvement and North Vi…

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I Was Cursed by Satan: The True Story of a Real-Life Hex 31:02

3M ago31:02

31:02

In this chilling episode, filmmaker Liam Le Guillou takes us deep inside A Cursed Man - his harrowing real-life journey into the world of black magic and satanic rituals. What begins as a sceptical social experiment soon spirals into a terrifying descent, as Liam invites powerful practitioners to place real curses on him. Facing nightmares, unexpla…

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Twister: Caught in the Storm | Inside the Eye of a Tornado 34:46

3M ago34:46

34:46

"One of the deadliest tornadoes in US history is headed directly for their high school graduation…” In this episode, filmmaker Alexandra Lacey takes us inside her powerful new Netflix documentary, Twister: Caught in the Storm, a raw and moving look at life in Joplin, Missouri, after a catastrophic natural disaster. Alexandra shares how the disaster…

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R.J. Cutler on 'Martha': Capturing an Icon's Rise, Fall, and Resilience 28:10

9M ago28:10

28:10

In this episode, Matthew sits down with acclaimed filmmaker R.J. Cutler to discuss his latest Netflix documentary, 'Martha'. Cutler offers fascinating insights into the making of the film, which chronicles the life and career of Martha Stewart, the iconic businesswoman and lifestyle guru. Discover how Cutler gained unprecedented access to Stewart a…

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Unsolved Mysteries: the original true-crime series 30:07

9M ago30:07

30:07

Unsolved murders, paranormal activity, and UFOs. Unsolved Mysteries, the iconic docu-series that was a staple of TV in the 80s and 90s is back on Netflix with Volume 5. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America is multiple Emmy nominated filmmaker Terry Dunn Meurer, the co-creator and producer of Unsolved Mysteries. She shares the secrets of Unso…

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How not to rig an election: Stopping the Steal 31:50

10M ago31:50

31:50

Stopping the Steal gives an inside account of Donald Trump's challenge to the 2020 presidential election results and how an unsung group of Republican politicians, staffers, and election officials prevented the election from being stolen. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America is Emmy and Bafta-winning director and producer Dan Reed. He discus…

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Paul Simon: Faith, Mortality & Music – with Alex Gibney 39:13

1y ago39:13

39:13

In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon surveys the studio as Paul records his new album Seven Psalms while reflecting on his six-decade career and wrestling with the issues of faith and mortality. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America is Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney, who discusses the impact Paul Simon had on American culture and m…

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The 7M TikTok Dance Cult: Dancing for the Devil 48:11

1y ago48:11

48:11

Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult explores the experiences of a group of prominent TikTok dancers who are trapped in a cult masquerading as a management company. In the process the film uncovers disturbing truths about the agenda of Robert Shinn, the cult’s founder and pastor of the Shekinah Church. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual Ameri…

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Relationship Hack – Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal 34:41

1y ago34:41

34:41

In 2002 the Ashley Madison website went live. It was a dating agency with a difference for its targets were people already in relationships. Inevitably, Ashley Madison was roundly criticised. The company’s CEO, however, stated that affairs actually helped marriages. In 2015, hackers broke into the website and published the names, addresses, credit …

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Terrorism and Tragedy - An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th 1:00:29

1+ y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

It’s April 19th 1995, the 220th anniversary of the start of the American War of Independence, and two years since the violent end of the Waco, Texas siege. In Oklahoma City, a disaffected army veteran named Timothy McVeigh leaves a truck outside the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building. Inside the truck is a bomb. At 9am, McVeigh lights the two minute …

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A Brief History of the Future: Making the World A Better Place 49:50

1+ y ago49:50

49:50

Climate change, terrorism, social inequality and poverty, wars between nations, and injustice. Things do not look too good for the world today, and there seems to be little to no hope for the future. A Brief History of the Future, a new docu-series on PBS, challenges this pessimistic outlook. Directed by Andrew Morgan and presented by Ari Wallach, …

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Against All Enemies: US Veterans Fighting Their Own Country 49:10

1+ y ago49:10

49:10

Why would US military veterans take up arms against the country they swore to protect? This is the question at the heart of Against All Enemies, a new documentary by Charlie Sadoff. In it, Charlie explores the role disaffected veterans played in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. In order to better understand what happened on that day, he lo…

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God Save Texas: Life in the Land of Oil and Gas 49:26

1+ y ago49:26

49:26

God Save Texas is a three-part docu-series inspired by Lawrence Wright’s book of the same name. In each episode, an acclaimed filmmaker explores the past, present, and future of the Lone Star State. Episode One is directed by Richard Linklater, Episode Three by Iliana Sosa. Episode Two is directed by Alex Stapleton, and she joins Matthew Sherwood t…

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The NFL’s Greatest Dynasty: New England Patriots 58:27

1+ y ago58:27

58:27

Between 2001-19, head coach Bill Belichick created one of the most successful dynasties ever seen in American football. Under his leadership, the New England Patriots won a record equalling six Super Bowl titles. Guided by quarterback Tom Brady, the team also set a host of other NFL records, including most wins over a ten year period, longest regul…

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Amityville: Origins of the Horror Story 42:28

1+ y ago42:28

42:28

On November 13th 1974, Ronald DeFeo shot his family dead in Amityville, New York. Not long after he was convicted of the killings, the Lutz family moved into the DeFeos’ former home. They did not stay long. After just 28 days, they fled, claiming to have been driven out by paranormal activity. The Lutz family’s experience formed the basis of The Am…

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Investigating the Octopus Murders: An American Conspiracy 48:13

1+ y ago48:13

48:13

The 1980s were a time of allegation and scandal in America. From the 1980 October Surprise, 1985-87 Iran-Contra Affair, and 1986-91 BCCI scandal, the decade seemed only to be going downhill. And in the midst of it all, the US Justice Department was accused of stealing PROMIS, a piece of software that could be used to create a programme that would a…

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MMA’s Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez | Fighting for her Life in the UFC | Q&A with Cassius Corrigan 41:41

1+ y ago41:41

41:41

Tatiana Suarez was born into poverty, endured a “tumultuous [and] traumatic childhood”, and at school chose to compete in a sport – wrestling – that led to her being relentlessly bullied. She overcame every obstacle that life and people put in front of her and became a champion. And not just once, but multiple times. Finally, the greatest prize of …

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Challenging Zuckerberg’s Metanarrative 55:52

1+ y ago55:52

55:52

Who is Mark Zuckerberg? That is the question at the heart of Nick Green’s new Sky documentary, Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse. We all know how Zuckerberg took Facebook from being a website accessible to just a few American college students in 2004 to one that is used by over a billion people worldwide in 2024. Along the way, he has acquired Inst…

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American Nightmare: Unravelling Crimes That Never Were 35:05

1+ y ago35:05

35:05

On the night of March 23rd 2015, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn were drugged and bound by a mystery assailant who had broken into their home. Denise was then kidnapped. When Aaron called the police the next day, they believed he had murdered her. Two days later, however, Denise – who had been sexually assaulted by her kidnapper - was freed. Now the…

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Inside Lady Bird Johnson’s White House: Recording a Public and Private Life 32:05

1+ y ago32:05

32:05

Lady Bird Johnson is best known today as the wife of Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the USA between 1963-69. However, there was much more to her life than simply the role of ‘First Lady’. In this episode of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood takes a deep dive into Lady Bird Johnson’s life with Dawn Porter, director of new documentary film,…

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Finding Hope amidst Hate in A Town Called Victoria 26:33

1+ y ago26:33

26:33

On January 28th 2017, a mosque in Victoria, Texas was burnt to the ground by an arsonist. In the aftermath, Victorians stood side-by-side with their Muslim neighbours. In A Town Called Victoria, Li Lu – who grew up in nearby Sugar Land, Texas – explores what happened next: to the town, its Islamic community, and to the arsonist, who was soon appreh…

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Stamping Out Racist Lies: America’s Truth 22:00

1+ y ago22:00

22:00

Racism is a blight upon the United States of America, and has been all through the country’s history. In Stamped from the Beginning, a documentary film featuring and based on the book of the same name by Dr. Ibram X Kendi, director Roger Ross Williams explores the history of racist ideas in the US. Using an innovative array of methods, including VF…

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How the Cabbage Patch Kids Conquered America 37:07

1+ y ago37:07

37:07

In 1983 America was overwhelmed by a disaster, the likes of which it had never seen before. Hysteria led to riots; mayhem became the norm. And the reason? Chubby, potato faced toys: the Cabbage Patch Kids. In this episode of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood meets Dan Goodman, co-executive producer of Billion Dollar Babies, a documentary about the …

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Wisdom in the Shadows of Dementia 35:32

1+ y ago35:32

35:32

In 1999, Rose Tajiri, a second-generation Japanese-American, was diagnosed with dementia. She was 76. Over the following years, as her condition worsened, her daughter, filmmaker Rea Tajiri, became her caregiver. In Wisdom Gone Wild Rea documents the journey that she and her mother took together, a journey that sees them navigate both the now of li…

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Carlos Santana: Discovering the Spirit of the Man. 48:42

1+ y ago48:42

48:42

Carlos is a documentary that takes the viewer from legendary guitarist Carlos Santana’s beginnings in Mexico to concerts across the world in a musical career that has lasted over fifty years. It goes off-stage as well, exploring his spiritual journey and life with his family, from mother and father, to siblings, and children. In this episode of Fac…

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Sylvester Stallone: Portrait of a Son, Icon, and Man 29:18

1+ y ago29:18

29:18

To call Sylvester Stallone a film star is only the beginning of any conversation about him. Movies such as Rocky and Rambo have made him an American icon. But even that barely scrapes the surface of who he really is. In Sly, a new documentary film available to watch now on Netflix, director Thom Zimny takes a deep dive into Sylvester Stallone’s sto…

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Something Ghostly This Way Comes: The Enfield Poltergeist 26:36

2y ago26:36

26:36

In The Enfield Poltergeist, Jerry Rothwell uses over 250 hours of audio recordings made by paranormal investigator Maurice Grosse to revisit the case of 284 Green Street in Enfield, North London. There, for a period of eighteen months starting in August 1977, the Hodgson family witnessed furniture move of its own accord, objects get thrown across r…

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Are We Alone? UFO Encounters from around the World 32:00

2y ago32:00

32:00

Welcome to the first episode of the fifth season of Factual America! Joining host Matthew Sherwood is Yon Motskin, the director of Encounters, a new Netflix docu-series about four UFO/alien encounters from around the world. Encounters tells a story that is both epic and intimate in its range. It not only explores what occurred when a diverse range …

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Wayne Shorter: Visionary, Innovator, Icon and Human Being 28:41

2y ago28:41

28:41

Wayne Shorter has long been considered one of the greatest modern composers and musicians of American music. His career reads like a Who’s Who of the genre, starting with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, then the Miles Davis Quintet, followed by solo fame and the founding of fusion super group Weather Report. His collaborations extend beyond jaz…

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From the Tennis Court to New York: Exploring John McEnroe’s Life 37:48

2y ago37:48

37:48

John McEnroe’s volcanic temper on the tennis court is legendary. But there was always more to him than just the explosive outbursts. In McEnroe, a documentary now available to watch on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW, John McEnroe takes a night time journey through his home town of New York, reflecting on, discussing, and interrogating …

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Mining Appalachia: Preserving the Story of King Coal 18:58

2y ago18:58

18:58

For 200 years, the people of central Appalachia in the US have lived off the industry of coal. Now, though, times are changing, and the coal industry is dying. One day, it will become no more than a memory. Director Elaine McMillion Sheldon describes King Coal as “part documentary, part fable”, and the film aims to not only tell the story of Appala…

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Transforming the Planet: Discussing the Human Footprint 45:41

2y ago45:41

45:41

Humanity is the master of the world. But how did we achieve this? And what do our actions say about us as a people? These are the questions at the heart of Human Footprint, a new PBS docu-series directed by Nate Dappen and Neil Losin. They join Matthew Sherwood to discuss the programme, which they describe as ‘a science show that explores human his…

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Last Flight Home: The Death and Life of Eli Timoner 1:06:15

2y ago1:06:15

1:06:15

Eli Timoner lived a life founded on love. As a result, long after an accidental stroke forced him into retirement, he was celebrated by his former workers. And when he died aged 92, on 3rd March 2021, he did so, surrounded by his family. Last Flight Home, a documentary by Eli’s daughter Ondi, tells the story of his last days. But more than that, it…

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Masterclass: Discussing Maestra with Maggie Contreras 52:46

2y ago52:46

52:46

Once upon a time, to be the conductor of an orchestra was to be a man. No longer. Female conductors, however, are still very much a rarity. The Paris based La Maestra Competition aims to break down the barriers that women still face in becoming conductors by giving them a space to showcase their skills. In Maestra, Maggie Contreras follows five wom…

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Arnold: Exploring Schwarzenegger‘s Three Lives 55:30

2y ago55:30

55:30

Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognisable figures in the world today. His meteoric rise to fame began in the 1960s and 70s when he won the coveted Mr Olympia and Mr Universe bodybuilding titles multiple times. In the 80s and 90s, Schwarzenegger starred in some of the most successful action films ever to be made, including The Terminator…

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Early 2000s New York: the Last Romantic Age of Rock’n’Roll 39:06

2y ago39:06

39:06

It’s the 1990s, and in New York, guitar music is at its nadir. But as the new millennium approaches, new bands rise out of the ashes of the past. The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, and LCD Soundsystem, are just a few of those bringing a new, powerful sound to the Big Apple. In the middle of this renewal, however, another, wholly discordant, so…

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Working: What We Do All Day featuring Barack Obama 38:13

2y ago38:13

38:13

Working: What We Do All Day is a docu-series that explores both what it means to work and the ways in which the meaning of work is changing. Presented by former US President Barack Obama, the docu-series focuses on people working in three different industries: technology, hospitality, and home care. Through him, we hear of their dreams, and their r…

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32 Sounds: Exploring the Most Mysterious and Profound of the Senses 23:16

2y ago23:16

23:16

It’s March 2020 and the pandemic has just begun. All of a sudden, director Sam Green has a lot of time on his hands. He uses it to read a book, which mentions Annea Lockwood, a composer, who has spent fifty years recording the sound of rivers. Intrigued, he contacts her. Their conversation leads Sam to contemplate sound. The result is 32 Sounds, a …

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Reimagine Wildfire: An Elemental Threat That We Can Control 48:51

2y ago48:51

48:51

In 2018, the Californian town of Paradise was destroyed by a wildfire. How did it happen? Could anything have been done to limit or even stop the inferno? Global warming has made the risk of wildfires greater than ever before, and there are people who believe that we are doing all that we can to stop them. As Trip Jennings tells Matthew Sherwood, h…