Best Learn Japanese With BIZARRE stories Podcasts (2025)

1
The Super Soldier Update 1:03:13

2d ago1:03:13

1:03:13

While it may sound like science fiction, human militaries throughout history have always sought for an edge over their enemies -- and, in this search, ethics quickly go out the window. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the latest updates in the creation of a modern "super soldier," from technological breakthroughs to designer drugs..…

1
Listener Mail: Gas Station "Casinos," Cannabis, Cryptids, Airport Disasters and Missing Faberge Eggs 1:01:57

2d ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Beuford breaks down the mechanics of gas station casinos. Josie explores the science of cannabis and oil-based products. Kangaroo fight updates. FrostyCold1 puts the guys on the strange case of missing Fabergé eggs. Fatigued and Flying explains the issues with air traffic controllers. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don…

1
The Bizarre World of Dream Experiments 1:07:06

3d ago1:07:06

1:07:06

Multiple animals dream -- and, even now, people have little understanding of why dreaming occurs. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore the newest research in dream states... and, spoiler: they end up with more questions than answers. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omny…

1
Strange News: Regeneron Bought Your DNA, CA Birdpocalypse, AI Job Cuts, Free El Gato 1:00:07

5d ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Roundup pesticides get a pass from Georgia. CrowdStrike joins the AI craze. A mysterious birdpocalypse in California. Regeneron buys the bankrupt 23andMe, prompting concerns over consumer's DNA. Free El Gato. All this and more in this week's strange news segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-y…

1
CLASSIC: The Wide World of Food Conspiracies 1:07:14

5d ago1:07:14

1:07:14

Whether rich or poor, young or old, everyone on the planet has to eat. Government institutions monitor the safety, cleanliness and consistency of our favorite foods, but as with any global industry, there are more than a few skeletons in the collective closet of the food and beverage business. Join Ben and Matt as they dive down the gastronomic rab…

1
What happens in a nuclear war? 1:14:02

9d ago1:14:02

1:14:02

Since the US bombing of Japan in World War II, the world entire has remained terrified of nuclear weapons. Even as scientists and scholars spent decades warning about the existential threat posed by technology that can literally end civilization, countries across the planet raced -- and race still -- to gain this capability for themselves. In tonig…

1
Listener Mail: Dreaming Aloud, Beyond Time 49:21

10d ago49:21

49:21

In this evening's weekly listener mail segment, "Ben," Matt and superproducer Tennessee Pal welcome in-depth explorations of dreams from a first-hand perspective. Join the gang as they suss out the tricky nature of linear time -- also, bonus points if you wrote to us earlier, They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/stati…

1
Can we really break physics? 1:08:47

11d ago1:08:47

1:08:47

"Why does stuff happen? Can we predict it -- and if so, what do these predictions tell us?" Loosely described, the concept of "physics" is the First Science of human civilization. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore recent discoveries that may well upend humanity's understanding of reality (also, spoiler: check out our upcoming episode on dr…

1
CLASSIC: The Smiley Face Murder Conspiracy 1:07:48

12d ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Could a group of serial murderers be kidnapping, drugging and drowning young men across the United States? Scores of young male college students have been found dead in what law enforcement calls accidental drownings -- but a team of retired detectives believe there's something more sinister at work. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they dive into the st…

1
Strange News: Octopus Civilization, Newark Goes Dark, Habeas Corpus, and the New Resource Arms Race 1:03:17

13d ago1:03:17

1:03:17

Afghanistan suspends chess due to religious concerns. Newark goes dark -- for just long enough to prompt serious questions. The world witnesses new escalations in the Great Game, as various corporations and countries race to acquire precious mineral resources. Since Ben and Matt always like to end on a good note, this week's strange news segment co…

1
Interview: Cancellation Island, with John Cameron Mitchell, Part Two: Action, Praxis, Presence and Poetry 31:41

15d ago31:41

31:41

In a world where everyone feels divided by identity politics, ideology and the fear of cancellation, how does an individual navigate a cultural minefield? How can we empower and encourage direct action? In the second part of this two-part interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome returning guest John Cameron Mitchell for a wide-ranging explorat…

1
Listener Mail: Global Rare Earth Unrest, Fears of Martial Law, the Guys Hire an ICP Expert 50:57

16d ago50:57

50:57

Could growing regional conflicts be driven by the race to control certain mineral resources? Could the United States slide into martial law -- if so, what would that mean? Join Ben and Matt for all this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read…

1
Interview: Cancellation Island, with John Cameron Mitchell, Part One: The Lost Art of Gnostic Nuance 52:49

18d ago52:49

52:49

What does it mean to be 'canceled'? How do we collectively navigate the baffling, complex and contradictory world of an 'always-on' society? In the first part of this week's special two-part interview, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome the legendary writer, actor, playwright and activist, John Cameron Mitchell, creator of Cancellation Island, for a wide-r…

1
CLASSIC: Is the Dead Sea copper scroll an ancient treasure map? 59:32

19d ago59:32

59:32

Odds are you've heard of the Dead Sea scrolls -- when the first of these ancient texts were discovered in the 1940s, the scrolls revolutionized our understanding of the past, and, in some cases, gave historians and archaeologists more questions than answers. One scroll, discovered in 1952, remains unique in the collection. It doesn't contain religi…

1
Strange News: AI Lovers, Cannabis Burns, Mineral Deals, Underground Cities and Nbiriu Rides Again 59:15

19d ago59:15

59:15

Concerns rise over human relationships with sycophantic chatbots. A town in Türkiye burns confiscated cannabis, prompting controversy. Former US officials the country spent trillions of dollars off the books to create disaster-proof underground cities for the elite. UKR-US mineral deals prompt accusations of quid-pro-quo deals. There may be a genui…

1
CLASSIC: What is "Qanon"? 1:05:00

23d ago1:05:00

1:05:00

What if the stories and narratives you hear in the average mainstream media reporting aren't the entire truth? What if there's something else going on, a secret war between a shadowy cabal and a small group of brave, outnumbered good guys fighting back against their insidious plans for world domination? This is, according to QAnon proponents, a tru…

1
Listener Mail: Backmasking, More Meat Heists, and New England Murders 53:49

23d ago53:49

53:49

Twenty Novel Hotels prompts a re-exploration of earlier conversations regarding backmasking and moral panics. Fellow Conspiracy Realists respond to Ben's questions about meat heists and commercial trucking. Ignicus and others ask for more information regarding the possibility of an active serial killer in New England. All this and more in this week…

1
The Prophecy of the Popes 1:00:05

24d ago1:00:05

1:00:05

It seemed the world paused on April 21, 2025, when 88-year-old Pope Francis passed away after a long struggle with multiple health issues. As the Catholic church and the world at large wonders what the future will bring, a once-obscure piece of writing is back in the public zeitgeist: the "Prophecy of the Popes," which purports to predict the ascen…

1
CLASSIC: The Story of Atlantis 1:03:38

26d ago1:03:38

1:03:38

The legendary civilization of Atlantis was first mentioned in the works of Plato, in dialogues that claimed to recount information from translations of ancient Egyptian texts. And people have been searching for this city ever since. So what was Atlantis, exactly? A metaphor, a work of fiction ... or a real, physical place? Join "Ben," Matt and Noel…

1
Strange News: The Power Goes Out, Fluoridation, Rampant Masturbation, Disney, anti-Narcocorridos, and More 1:01:14

26d ago1:01:14

1:01:14

What caused the massive power blackout in Spain and Portugal? Anti-fluoridation activists gain ground in the wake of RFK Jr's newest statement. A former Disney employee gets in hot water for hacking menus. Mexico hopes to popularize anti-narcocorridos. The tariff controversy surrounding Amazon and the White House. The FBI may be close to eating its…

1
What exactly is diplomatic immunity? Chapter Two: How To Get Away With Murder 1:04:05

29d ago1:04:05

1:04:05

OK, it's no secret that the law can apply differently to high-level diplomats and other government employees. But how far does this concept of immunity go? In the second chapter of this special two-part episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into intensely disturbing cases of crime, conspiracy, and geopolitical cover-ups. They don't want you to read our …

1
Listener Mail: Australian Cinema, The Barksdale Bubble, El Salvador and Dictators 55:04

1M ago55:04

55:04

Cake writes in with recommendations for Australian cinema. Spooky Pants prompts a conversation about the infamous Barksdale Bubble. Starship Home (aka Sugar Homie, aka Supercool Homie) prompts a far-reaching exploration of dictatorships, El Salvador, the US's responsibility for the booming illegal drug trade. All this and more in this week's listen…

1
What exactly is diplomatic immunity? Chapter One: "A Gentleman's Agreement" 58:00

1M ago58:00

58:00

In modern English, we often say "don't shoot the messenger." As Ben, Matt and Noel discover in the first chapter of this week's special two-part series, diplomatic immunity is an ancient concept with real-world consequences in the modern day. So, is it true that various world powers have agreed to let some people exist beyond the rule of law? Tune …

1
CLASSIC: Interview: Radio Rental, with Payne Lindsey 49:16

1M ago49:16

49:16

Have you ever experienced something bizarre -- some unexplainable coincidence, chilling interaction or even a run in with what some might call the supernatural? If so, then you may have the next story for Radio Rental. In this episode, the guys interview Payne Lindsey, creator of Up and Vanished, Atlanta Monster and more, about the inspiration behi…

1
Strange News: One Card To Rule Them All, Pop Culture and Space, Horrors of Kenyan Death Cults, and More 1:04:30

1M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

History's largest credit card merger looms on the horizon. Commentary on not-quite-space and a celebrity named Katy Perry. Ben takes the crew around the globe to learn more about wildlife piracy, the horrors of Kenyan cults, and the fascinating web of fentanyl, casinos, China and Mexican drug cartels. All this this and more in this week's strange n…

1
What is Shock Incarceration? 1:08:09

1M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

Picture this: you're a bad kid. You've made a serious mistake, and may be facing incarceration. Yet Lo, and Behold! The US court system decrees you may avoid years in lock-up by going to an "intermediate sanction" program modeled after the military. Proponents say this helps first-time offenders get back on the right path. Critics, with extensive e…

1
Listener Mail: Signal vs. Telegram, Supply Chain Raids, Everyone Hates EvilCore 51:47

1M ago51:47

51:47

Privacy Guy continues the conversation about encryption and state-level powers. Art Vandelay notes recent issues with tariffs and supply chains. Multiple Conspiracy Realists follow up with Ben and the gang on the actions of an insurance-adjacent business called Evicore. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to …

1
Operation Ghost Stories 59:39

1M ago59:39

59:39

What if you had the perfect spy? Not some glitzy James Bond-type, but instead a person -- or an entire family -- spending decades in a hostile country, slowly acquiring information and status, while waiting for the right signal from command. It's one of the most fascinating stories in all of tradecraft: the "sleeper spy," a concept made famous in w…

1
CLASSIC: What really happened to the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke? 48:56

1M ago48:56

48:56

It's one of the most enduring enigmas in American history -- how did an entire colony disappear from Roanoke island? Join the guys as they explore the facts, fiction and speculation surrounding the mysterious fate of the colonists, the clues they may have left behind and the search that continues in the modern day. They don't want you to read our b…

1
Strange News: US on The Brink, North Sentinel Island, a Monster in Maryland and More 57:02

1M ago57:02

57:02

Domestic and international tensions grow as US courts square off with the administration over the rendition of innocents. A hapless, would-be internet influencer finds himself in Indian incarceration after attempting to contact the people of North Sentinel island. Over in Maryland, multiple women accuse pharmacist Matthew Bathula of egregious spyin…

1
STDWYTK Presents: A Conspiracy of Sound, Live in Brooklyn 1:36:56

1M ago1:36:56

1:36:56

True story - for years, Ben, Matt and Noel have wondered about the concept of sensory experience. Turns out On Air Fest was listening, and called them to New York. In tonight's episode, the guys present their live exploration: A Conspiracy of Sound, at Brooklyn's legendary National Sawdust. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macm…

1
CLASSIC: Was Samuel Little America's Most Prolific Serial Killer? 49:02

1M ago49:02

49:02

Born in 1940, Samuel Little was known in multiple states as a drifter, petty criminal and man occasionally capable of violence. Like many people living on the fringe of society, he seemed to slip through the fingers of justice despite numerous arrests. Yet intrepid investigators and improvements in DNA testing eventually proved Little was more than…

1
What happened to Harold Holt? 58:47

2M ago58:47

58:47

On 17 December 1967, Harold Holt, the immensely popular prime minister of Australia, went for a swim -- and vanished. In the decades since, his family and the public still have questions about what exactly happened. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a mystery that remains unsolved in the modern day, along with a meditation on empathy…

1
CLASSIC: The Afghanistan Papers 55:37

2M ago55:37

55:37

The United States invaded Afghanistan on October 7th, 2001 and remains embroiled in the conflict almost two decades later, making this the longest war in US history. Leaders from both of the dominant political parties continually argued that this was a winnable war, proposing new strategies, more troops, and more surges. Yet documents obtained by T…

1
CLASSIC: What happened to Jimmy Hoffa? 53:34

2M ago53:34

53:34

In his day, American labor union leader James "Jimmy" Riddle Hoffa was one of the most well-known figures in the US. On July 30th, 1975, Hoffa disappeared. He has not been seen, living or dead, since that day. In the decades following his death numerous investigators have tried (and failed) to figure out what exactly happened to this infamous Ameri…

1
Interview: Up and Vanished Weekly, with Maggie Freleng 53:01

2M ago53:01

53:01

Alien abductions. Unexplained disappearances. Unsolved murders. In tonight's interview, the guys join the legendary, award-winning journalist Maggie Freleng to learn more about her newest podcast, Up and Vanished Weekly. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/listener…

1
Listener Mail: Science and Astrology, Secrets of the Pyramids, and "Chicken Tax" 54:37

2M ago54:37

54:37

Astrolojon prompts an exploration of a possible scientific basis to astrology. Flea asks for more information about the viral claims concerning purported pillars deep beneath the Pyramids of Giza. AngryBizkitz inspires an investigation into the weird, conspiratorial world of tariff loopholes and the infamous "Chicken Tax." All this and more in this…

1
The Prior Authorizations Conspiracy: EviCore 1:05:02

2M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

It's a story sadly all-too familiar with so many people in the United States: you're on the cusp of receiving medication, surgery or treatment that could save your life -- only for your insurance company to deny the treatment you've paid for. Through the practice of "prior authorization," private insurance companies bypass doctors to decide whether…

1
CLASSIC: Interview: Dark Waters: Corporations, Corruption and Pollution with Rob Bilott 50:15

2M ago50:15

50:15

When corporate defense lawyer Rob Bilott first learned about Wilbur Tennant's dying livestock, the frustrated West Virginian farmer was at his wits' end. He'd sought help from numerous local authorities to no avail, but he was certain DuPont was poisoning his livestock, as well as the surrounding area. Bilott's investigation led him down the rabbit…

1
Strange News: The Massive Tennessee Meat Heist, Roblox and Privacy, the CIA and the Ark of Covenant, Chemicals in Your Food and More 1:00:12

2M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

A massive meat heist in Tennessee leaves Ben, Matt and Dylan asking: "Who needs 80,000 pounds of off-the-books meat?" A babysitter learns there really is a monster under the bed. Back in the day, the CIA seemed genuinely convinced they discovered the Ark of the Covenant. Sucralose conspires against you! The US abducts an innocent US resident and se…

1
Big Chicken: A Fowl Conspiracy 1:19:40

2M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Chicken! It's one of the world's most popular food stuffs, and nowadays it's a global, multibillion dollar industry. But a dark side comes with all that success -- including problems that, one day, may threaten civilization as we know it. Join Ben, Matt and Noel as they explore the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about Big Chicken. They don't wan…

1
CLASSIC: The Far-out World of Deep Fakes 1:07:04

2M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

For centuries, it was often understood that "seeing was believing" -- while people might embellish a story, and write whatever falsehoods they wished, visually witnessing an event was solid proof of what actually happened in any given situation. Yet this no longer holds true in the modern age. Photographs have been faked since, well, the invention …

1
What is the Disposition Matrix? 1:08:07

2M ago1:08:07

1:08:07

It's no secret that all powerful countries have used assassination as an aspect of statecraft. Yet in the wake of 9/11, the United States sought to bend — and, later, break — foundational principles of democracy in pursuit of a "Greater Good." In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore a conspiracy institutionalizing the practice of state-spo…

1
CLASSIC: What really happened to Amelia Earhart? 38:50

2M ago38:50

38:50

Amelia Earhart was a living legend -- this high-flying aviation pioneer garnered international acclaim and accolades for her daring flights across the planet. On July 2nd, 1937, midway through a flight around the world, Earhart's plane disappeared. Although she was declared legally dead on January 5th, 1939, theories about the true story of her dis…

1
Strange News: Signal Leaks Worse than 23andMe, Bird Jokes, Japan Bans Moonies 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Birds are fighting. A pilot loses a passport. Boeing scores a big win with a contract that will surely work out great. Let's hang out on Signal. All this and more in this week's strange news segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…

1
Interview: OBSCURUM, with Gabe Lenners 1:07:31

2M ago1:07:31

1:07:31

Beginning in 2019, locals in rural areas of Nebraska and Colorado were astonished to witness multiple mysterious lights and objects in the sky. Everyone agreed something was up there, but no one seemed to know what this stuff could be. In this interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome Gabe Lenners, the creator of OBSCURUM, to learn more about h…

1
Listener Mail: The Piasa Bird, Bots and the Post Office, and Horoscopes for AI 56:19

2M ago56:19

56:19

The guys explore the legend of the mysterious Piasa Bird. A Conspiracy Realist at the US Post Office inspires an exploration of post-human automation. Uncle Sam writes in with thoughts on discovering a possible scientific basis behind astrology. The guys crack up reading infamous Australian town names. All this and more in this week's listener mail…

1
Why are so many spies getting busted? 1:09:42

2M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Forget pretty much everything you've heard about James Bond. While loosely based on espionage tactics of yesteryear, actual human-based tradecraft is far less glamorous -- around the globe, intelligence organizations make long-term investments in games that run for decades, carefully cultivating assets with such secrecy that, true story, some folks…

1
CLASSIC: What are "Black Sites"? 57:44

2M ago57:44

57:44

In the United States, people accused of crimes are entitled to certain well-known protections under the law. And, in the international sphere, global agreements theoretically guarantee certain rights to prisoners of war. However, in the wake of 9/11 elements of the US government felt these protections were preventing them from obtaining justice. Th…

1
Strange News: "Freedom Cities" are the New Company Towns, Sackler Family Doesn't Go To Jail 1:02:58

2M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

A phenomenally powerful international lobbying group -- Freedom Cities -- pushes the idea of US communities run by corporations. An opioid update reveals the Sackler family will pay money rather than prison time. A threat in Antarctica, while astronauts finally return home. All this and more in this week's strange news segment. They don't want you …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Learn Japanese With BIZARRE Stories Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen