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I’m on my own again this week because Jack has a pressing prior engagement with Dame Stella Artois. This week, as part Ye Olde Dumb Ages - a new thread demonstrating that people throughout history have been swept up in utter nonsense - I’m talking about The Pendle Witch Trials of 1612. At this point, Jack would be permitted to insert a horrifyingly ageist joke about me knowing all about it because I was there. Hope you enjoy it! Thank you to our legendary paid members for making this show possible! If you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID membership by clicking the link below. BECOME A MEMBER

He talked about Vinicius Junior possibly being taken away by aliens and would you believe it - our Jack has got HIMSELF abducted! The aliens were very nice about it and popped a note through my door saying he’d be back once he’d been fully probed and chipped. So, I’m flying solo this week, bringing you further discussion of the sad case of Maura Murray. For any listeners who might be heavily involved in the online discussion of the case, I’m sure I’ll have made some mistakes, so let me know in the comments. Thank you to our legendary paid members for making this show possible! If you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID membership by clicking the link below. BECOME A MEMBER

In part one of a new series, Jack looks at the “mysterious” “disappearance of Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior. It’s a trip to crazy town! And I introduce us to another, actual appearance that’s been an internet obsession for two decades - Maura Murray. Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. ⁠SUBSCRIB⁠⁠E

In part two of our Rapture series, Jack and I discuss the impact of Rapture beliefs on individuals, culture and politics.  For free subscribers, I explain what happened to part one, and I’m trying to fix it! Hope you enjoy it! Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE

In part one of a new two-part episode, Jack and I get eschatological as we talk about the End Times. This time, we’re discussing The Rapture - not an 80s synth pop band but a niche belief, mainly in evangelical Christian circles, about a mass vanishing that’s going to happen before the end of the world. Hope you enjoy it! Barbara Rossing's "The Rapture Exposed" can be bought here. Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE

In part two of our look at the menace of internet sleuths, Jack tells us all about a case that’s been rumbling along in the USA - the case of Nolan Wells. Another (most likely) accidental drowning that some people are desperate to believe was actually a murder. Jack’s done a cracking job on this, so get your ears round it! I’m releasing this to everyone as a one off special freebie, to try and get more people interested in the show. The usual publishing pattern will resume next week (Sunday for paid subscribers, Wednesday for free subscribers and the general public), so if you want early access to the show, you need to upgrade to paid or click the link below SUBSCRIBE

I’m going solo this week, for reasons I explain in the episode and I’m looking at internet sleuths, a modern menace, prone to insane hot takes and conspiracy theories. I explain what they are, who they are and how they interfered with an investigation into a disappearance here in the UK in 2023. Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE

In the second part of our two-part episode, Jack and I continue to ask the question: Are we in our “Decline and Fall” era? Usual digressions along the way, including memories of 9/11. Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE

Jack and I are doing something different this week. We ask the question: Are we in our “Decline and Fall” era?  This is just part one - part two to come next week!  Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below.  SUBSCRIBE

We pay tribute to Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, followed by an exploration of the tribulations of Pride, left wing authoritarianism associated with “gender affirmation” beliefs and the downfall of Craig Guildford, former West Midlands Chief Constable Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE

Dumb-agers react to the death of Professor Jason Arday, and it isn’t big or clever. Plus, the government’s latest stupid stunt. And no, that’s not Cockney rhyming slang Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below: SUBSCRIBE

We are back, back, back again and raring to go. Farage’s damp squib of a victory in Clacton and how it’s likely to have to happen all over again in a few months’ time, prison release schemes that please nobody, migration policies that have the same effect and the brave, beautiful, stunning trans women of colour seeking to enter the WNBA – we discuss it all over a three course brunch prepared by our in-house cordon bleu chef, André. Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscriptionby upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE

Announcement

Another packed week, so packed we’ve had to curatejust a selection of the news stories that have crossed our desk. From Islamist attacks in Berlin to the new Green Hackney mayor waging her own personal intifada,Jack and I chew the fat while nibbling hors d’oeuvres in the rooftop restaurant here at Dumb Ages Towers  Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscription by upgrading to paid or clicking the link below.  SUBSCRIBE

Fellow Brits - can you feel the hope? Are you getting the breathing space you need? Is there power in your postcode? Our Dear Leader has promised it, so it all should be heading your way any day now. For the meantime, Jack and I talk about our first week under the rule of Andrew, First of His Name, Ruler of the Four Kingdoms and his shiny new Iron Throne in Manchester. We also talk about Ann Widdecombe’s killer, thePrevent-referral-worthy messaging of “Trans Bash Back”, an Orwellian report on countering misinformation and the approach to silencing free speech in Alberta, Canada. It’s all go! Thank you to our legendary paid subscribers for making this show possible! If you’re listening on Wednesday and you’d like to get the show earlier, take out a PAID subscriptionby upgrading to paid or clicking the link below. SUBSCRIBE