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During World War II, football itself was at risk. The Steagles—a hybrid of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers—were a desperate wartime experiment. With rosters drained by the draft, the NFL turned to mostly players deemed unfit for military service. And it might be the only way the NFL can survive the war. Special thanks to Matthew Algeo! Check out his book Last Team Standing.  * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenSenior Producer is Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherResearch and Fact-Checking by Jake Rossen and Austin ThompsonVoice Actors are Josh Fisher and Jonathan WashingtonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighty years ago, a young John F. Kennedy took a summer job as a journalist for Hearst newspapers, filing dispatches in the final days of World War II. Even the most seasoned JFK scholars often overlook this chapter, missing the influence those months had on the future president.  * "JFK's Forgotten Summer," which we originally published in June, was our top performing episode of 2025. Tragically, it took on more significance earlier this month with the death of Rob Reiner. Rob — who, with Soledad O'Brien, hosted Who Killed JFK?, one of the most successful podcasts of 2023 — kindly shared with us his knowledge and passion about the Kennedy family and appears in this episode. He was under no obligation to do this. He just wanted to help. It was an honor to work with him. We still cannot believe he and Michele are gone.  * Listen to Who Killed JFK? from Rob Reiner and Soledad O'Brien wherever you get your podcasts.  Check out Fred Logevall's excellent book: JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century. And thanks to our JFK voice actor, Tom Antonellis, for nailing another role.  * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe PompeoProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherResearch and Fact-Checking by Joe Pompeo and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In much of the world, Christmas dinner means roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a table crowded with family recipes passed down for generations. But in Japan, millions mark the holiday with something far less traditional — a bucket of KFC. Today we unwrap one of the strangest and most successful marketing stories of the modern era: how an American fast-food chain became an essential part of Japanese Christmas. On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. See Also: Stealing Baby Jesus. Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Maria TrimarchiSenior Producer is Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Chris ChildsOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Got a question or comment for Dana, Zaron, and Jason? Hit us up at [email protected].  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1983, a cherubic, homely doll triggered something close to national hysteria. Parents fought in store aisles. Shelves were stripped bare. Even the New York mafia found itself selling children’s toys.   Cabbage Patch Kids went from handmade curiosities to the most coveted object in America — igniting riots, corporate battles, and a moral panic that stretched from suburban malls to federal courtrooms. All in a single Christmas season.  And the frenzy didn’t end when the Kids disappeared from shelves. In an unexpected twist decades later, these dolls would get more care and attention than they ever had before. Previously on VSE: The Furby Files * Very special thanks to all our guests! You can hear more of Larry Mazza’s story in his book The Life, available on Amazon. * Today's episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans.  Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenSenior Producer is Josh FisherStory Editor is Virginia PrescottEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherFrom School of Humans, producers are Emilia Brock and Edeliz PerezResearch and Fact-Checking by Jake Rossen, Virginia Prescott, and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaExecutive Producers are Virginia Prescott and Jason English Got a question for a future mailbag? Send it to [email protected].  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1979, the world watched as NASA’s 77-ton space station made its fiery plunge back to Earth. When Skylab broke apart over a sleepy Australian town, the falling debris set off a global media frenzy. This is the story of the night the sky actually fell — and the teenager who became an improbable hero. * Today's episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans.  Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenSenior Producer is Josh FisherStory Editor is Virginia PrescottEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherFrom School of Humans, producers are Emilia Brock and Edeliz PerezResearch and Fact-Checking by Jake Rossen, Virginia Prescott, and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaExecutive Producers are Virginia Prescott and Jason English Got a question for a future mailbag? Send it to [email protected].  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Jamaican musicians are making a bold claim. They say they invented the now-ubiquitous reggaeton beat on a specific track in 1989. They're suing some of the genre's biggest stars for billions in royalties. But we found someone who’s telling a very different origin story. Hold onto your headphones as we dive into the mystery behind one of the most influential beats in modern music. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.  Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosSenior Producer is Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson, Dave Roos, and Zaron BurnettOriginal Music by Elise McCoy and Jonathan WashingtonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaExecutive Producer is Jason English Got a question for Dana, Zaron, and Jason? Hit us up at [email protected].  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Fandemonium! This week Dana, Zaron, and Jason respond to listener emails. They tell their Very Special origin stories, pick their favorite episodes, cast the movie version of the podcast, and preview the exciting stories coming this winter. Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving Friday! And you can always reach us at [email protected]. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of starving dogs were trapped inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. For years, Oregon-based veterinarian Dr. Jenn Betz had been their lifeline. Now, with Putin’s troops occupying the site, she had only one thought: How do I get back there? * If you would like to help the dogs of Chernobyl, visit CleanFutures.org. Today's episode is a production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans.  Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Lucas ReillySenior Producer is Josh FisherStory Editor is Virginia PrescottEditing and Sound Design by Jesse NighswongerMixing and Mastering by Jesse NighswongerFrom School of Humans, producers are Emilia Brock, Edeliz Perez and Gabbie WattsResearch and Fact-Checking by Lucas Reilly and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaExecutive Producers are Virginia Prescott and Jason English     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1989, Boris Yeltsin walked into a Houston supermarket — and walked out ready to end an empire. What he saw in Texas that day would shake the foundations of the Soviet Union. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.  Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosSenior Producer is Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherResearch and Fact-Checking by Dave Roos and Austin ThompsonVoice Actor is Tom AntonellisOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaExecutive Producer is Jason English Special thanks to composer Evan Mack for letting us play a clip of “Make Your Move,” from his original opera Yeltsin in Texas. Learn more at evanmack.com.  And thanks to Yelena Biberman for sharing her story. Check out her excellent podcast How to Kill a Superpower.  We've got a mailbag episode coming later this month. Got a question for Dana, Zaron, or Jason? Email us at [email protected].  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1897, a Swedish engineer set out to reach the North Pole ... by balloon. With two companions, a crate of champagne, and the faith of a nation, he rose into the Arctic fog — and vanished. Decades later, their frozen journals and undeveloped film emerged from the ice, revealing the haunting truth behind one of exploration’s great mysteries. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Marisa Brown and Mac MontandonSenior Producer is Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact-Checking by Marisa Brown and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaSocial Clips by Yarberry MediaSpecial thanks to our voice actors Tom Antonellis, Chris Childs, and Josh FisherExecutive Producer is Jason English You can email the show at [email protected].    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the golden age of 1980s television, few faces were more familiar — or more dishonest — than Joe Isuzu’s. Actor David Leisure brought the fast-talking car salesman to life, turning a parody of advertising into one of its greatest icons. In this Very Special Interview, the man behind America’s favorite liar revisits the campaign that changed commercials forever. * Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettSenior Producer is Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Question? Comment? Idea for which advertising icon we should try to interview next? Email us at [email protected].    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1960s, there were 36,000 Americans living in the Canal Zone. They had Friday night high school football games, sock hops, and Hollywood movies at the local theater. It looked like a mid-century American town had been dropped into the Panamanian jungle — because that’s exactly what it was. But many Panamanians weren’t happy with this “country-in-a-country” arrangement. What would it take to get the Americans to leave? The answer, it turns out, was a bunch of teenagers. * Check out Marixa Lasso's Erased: The Untold Story of the Panama Canal and Wendy Tribaldos' books about the history of Panama and the Canal Zone. Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosSenior Producer is Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierAdditional Editing by Mary DooeOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact-Checking by Dave Roos and Austin ThompsonSpecial thanks to our voice actors Chris Childs and Josh FisherShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi, Very Special Episodes listeners! We're hard at work on the next season of VSE, which lands October 22nd. In the meantime, did you know our own Dana Schwartz has a new podcast? Give it a listen! Hoax!: Why do so many people believe things that aren’t true? In an era when claims of “fake news” come as naturally as breathing, and social media allows lies to spread and multiply like viruses, the question feels more relevant than ever. From the teenage girls who convinced Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that fairies were real in the 19th century to “Balloon boy” in 2009, Hoax! will explore the most audacious and ambitious tricks in history. Along the way, we’ll uncover the reasons people let themselves be fooled and how we can live our lives and engage with the media with a more critical eye. Co-hosted by Noble Blood’s Dana Schwartz and pop culture writer Lizzie Logan, we’ll bring you stories of pranks and grifts throughout history so big and bold they make us question why we believe what we believe in the first place. Listen to Hoax! on the iHeartRadio App or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superman is everywhere this summer, but today's bonus episode has nothing to do with James Gunn or David Corenswet. Let's go back to the beginning, when young Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first conjured up the character. Superman may have never seen the light of day if not for a real crime that changed the duo’s lives forever. * This bonus episode was written by Jake Rossen and originally appeared as part of the Stealing Superman podcast. Go listen to that show and help us find Nic Cage's stolen comics! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon is considered a classic. The deceptively complex children’s book has been passed down for generations. But if the New York Public Library had gotten its way, you’d have never even heard of it.  * Thanks to our Very Special guests Amy Gary, author of In the Great Green Room; and writer, children's book author, and podcaster Betsy Bird.   * Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Carmen Borca-Carrillo and edited by Emily Rudder at Wonder Media NetworkProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Chris ChildsAdditional Editing by Mary DooeFact-Checking by Maya ShoukriOriginal Music by Elise McCoyVoice Actors: Katie Mattie, Chris Childs, Josh Fisher, Jonathan Washington, Juliet English, and Charlotte EnglishShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.