S8 Ep827: 5/16: Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter report on escalating violence in the Gulf, including the sinking of IRGC boats. They also discuss Mahmoud Abbas's attempt to install his son, Yasser Abbas, as his political successor.
5/16: Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter report on escalating violence in the Gulf, including the sinking of IRGC boats. They also discuss Mahmoud Abbas's attempt to install his son, Yasser Abbas, as his political successor.
13m May 05
13m
S8 Ep827: 4/16: Alan Tonelson and Gordon Chang examine how the Iran war drives inflation and damages Asian manufacturing. China continues to flood markets with subsidized exports while using lawfare and harassment against smaller nations like Panama.
4/16: Alan Tonelson and Gordon Chang examine how the Iran war drives inflation and damages Asian manufacturing. China continues to flood markets with subsidized exports while using lawfare and harassment against smaller nations like Panama. 1903 PERSIA
11m May 05
11m
S8 Ep827: 3/16: Rick Fisher and Gordon Chang discuss the Artemis mission and China's competitive drive to establish a permanent moon base. Both nations are also developing combat satellites and weapon systems for use in lunar orbit.
3/16: Rick Fisher and Gordon Chang discuss the Artemis mission and China's competitive drive to establish a permanent moon base. Both nations are also developing combat satellites and weapon systems for use in lunar orbit.
9m May 05
9m
S8 Ep827: 2/16: Bill Roggio explains that al-Qaeda is expanding across Mali and Somalia, exploiting weak governments to build a caliphate. Both al-Qaeda and ISIS are partitioning territories and increasingly threatening regional capitals.
2/16: Bill Roggio explains that al-Qaeda is expanding across Mali and Somalia, exploiting weak governments to build a caliphate. Both al-Qaeda and ISIS are partitioning territories and increasingly threatening regional capitals.
5m May 05
5m
S8 Ep827: 1/16: Bill Roggio discusses Project Freedom, a mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed to hit a US warship, but the Navy reported no ships were struck.
1/16: Bill Roggio discusses Project Freedom, a mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGCclaimed to hit a US warship, but the Navy reported no ships were struck. 1904 Persia
13m May 05
13m
S8 Ep826: Preview for Later Today: Guest Gordon Chang. Chang examines the trade dilemma involving China's support for Iran's nuclear program. He discusses President Trump's efforts to stop Beijing's military proliferation by leveraging China's current economic trad
Preview for Later Today: Guest Gordon Chang. Chang examines the trade dilemma involving China's support for Iran's nuclear program. He discusses President Trump's efforts to stop Beijing's military proliferation by leveraging China's current economic trade dependencies. 1/6 MAY 9 1939 SHANGHAI
2m May 04
2m
S8 Ep826: Preview for Later Today: Guest Rick Fischer. Fischer attributes the slow pace of China's moon landing program to extreme risk aversion within the Communist Party culture. They prioritize avoiding technical failures over competing directly with American ti
Preview for Later Today: Guest Rick Fischer. Fischer attributes the slow pace of China's moon landing program to extreme risk aversion within the Communist Party culture. They prioritize avoiding technical failures over competing directly with American timelines. 3/6 NOVEMBER 1955
2m May 04
2m
S8 Ep826: Preview for Later Today: Guest John Hardie. Hardie explores Vladimir Putin's increasing isolation and the geopolitical uncertainty following a potential leadership vacuum. He also highlights Ukraine's expanding international drone industry deals with NATO
Preview for Later Today: Guest John Hardie. Hardie explores Vladimir Putin's increasing isolation and the geopolitical uncertainty following a potential leadership vacuum. He also highlights Ukraine's expanding international drone industry deals with NATO partners. 4/6 1896 MOSCOW
10m May 04
10m
S8 Ep825: Preview for Later Today: Guest Bridget Toomey. Toomey profiles Iraq's new Prime Minister, Zedi Ali al-Zahedi, a wealthy businessman with extensive experience across various sectors. She examines his transition from a multi-sector conglomerate leader to a
Preview for Later Today: Guest Bridget Toomey. Toomey profiles Iraq's new Prime Minister, Zedi Ali al-Zahedi, a wealthy businessman with extensive experience across various sectors. She examines his transition from a multi-sector conglomerate leader to a non-political figure in Baghdad. 3/3
1m May 04
1m
S8 Ep825: Preview for Later Today: Guest Ahmad Sharawi. Sharawi discusses "Project Freedom" and Iran's retaliatory attacks on UAE energy interests. He highlights a recent strike on an ADNOC vessel, suggesting Iran aims to disrupt maritime security despite US Navy e
Preview for Later Today: Guest Ahmad Sharawi. Sharawi discusses "Project Freedom" and Iran's retaliatory attacks on UAE energy interests. He highlights a recent strike on an ADNOC vessel, suggesting Iran aims to disrupt maritime security despite US Navy escort efforts. 2/3
57s May 04
57s
S8 Ep825: Preview for Later Today: Guest David Daoud. Daoud analyzes how Hezbollah utilizes inexpensive FPV and fiber optic drones to bypass Israel's advanced technological defenses. He notes the IDF currently lacks effective responses to these low-cost, under-the-
Preview for Later Today: Guest David Daoud. Daoud analyzes how Hezbollah utilizes inexpensive FPV and fiber optic drones to bypass Israel's advanced technological defenses. He notes the IDF currently lacks effective responses to these low-cost, under-the-radar warfare tactics. 1/3
3m May 04
3m
S8 Ep824: The current war with Iran is significantly less popular than the Vietnam War was at its lowest point. Polling suggests an 80% disapproval rate, compared to the 60-70% disapproval seen during the depths of the Vietnam conflict. The administration is per
The current war with Iran is significantly less popular than the Vietnam War was at its lowest point. Polling suggests an 80% disapproval rate, compared to the 60-70% disapproval seen during the depths of the Vietnam conflict. The administration is perceived as being trapped in a "sunk cost fallacy," pursuing a failing course of action to protect the leader's reputation, similar to the "one day...
19m May 04
19m
S8 Ep824: The goals of the Trump administration's war with Iran have remained undefined since hostilities began on February 28, 2026. It remains unclear if the objective is regime change, ballistic missile control, or the dismantling of the nuclear program. The war
The goals of the Trump administration's war with Iran have remained undefined since hostilities began on February 28, 2026. It remains unclear if the objective is regime change, ballistic missile control, or the dismantling of the nuclear program. The war is characterized by a lack of harmony between Israeli and U.S. strategic goals, which Germanicusdescribes as an "operational gambit" rather t...
16m May 04
16m
S8 Ep824: Based on the discussions from the Londinium debating society in 92 AD, experts project that the Earth will reach a tipping point for oil reserves by the end of May 2026. At this point, strategic stockpiles are expected to run out, leading to a potential c
Based on the discussions from the Londinium debating society in 92 AD, experts project that the Earth will reach a tipping point for oil reserves by the end of May 2026. At this point, strategic stockpiles are expected to run out, leading to a potential crash of the global network where gasoline and diesel may become unavailable at any price. Petroleum storage has already declined by approximat...
23m May 04
23m
S8 Ep823: Fanell suggests "warfighting proliferation," including potential nuclear capabilities for allies, to counter China's rapid military buildup. He advocates for the total economic and diplomatic isolation of the CCP to trigger its collapse. This strategy p
Fanell suggests "warfighting proliferation," including potential nuclear capabilities for allies, to counter China's rapid military buildup. He advocates for the total economic and diplomatic isolation of the CCP to trigger its collapse. This strategy prioritizes power politics and credible deterrence over direct armed conflict. 4/4 OCTOBER 1, 1949
8m May 04
8m
S8 Ep823: Fanell stresses the necessity of admitting strategic failure to properly address the China threat. He proposes an independent "Team B" for objective intelligence analysis, similar to Cold War practices. Recommendations include moving investment oversight
Fanell stresses the necessity of admitting strategic failure to properly address the China threat. He proposes an independent "Team B" for objective intelligence analysis, similar to Cold War practices. Recommendations include moving investment oversight to the Defense Department and adopting a "whole of society" approach. 3/4 7 NOVEMBER 1931
11m May 04
11m
S8 Ep823: Fanell and Thayer compare modern U.S. policy to Britain's disastrous "10-year rule" after WWI, which hindered defense readiness. Fanell reflects on how the U.S. Navy ignored the rising PRC threat during the 1990s. They criticize the U.S. for maintaining e
  Fanell and Thayer compare modern U.S. policy to Britain's disastrous "10-year rule" after WWI, which hindered defense readiness. Fanell reflects on how the U.S. Navy ignored the rising PRC threat during the 1990s. They criticize the U.S. for maintaining engagement after the Tiananmen Square massacre. 2/4 1600  XIANJIANG
8m May 04
8m
S8 Ep823: James Fanell discusses China's "Joint Sword 2024 Alpha" military exercises, describing them as an "Anaconda strategy" intended to blockade and pressure Taiwan following its presidential inauguration. He and Bradley Thayer argue that Washington's "neo-enga
James Fanell discusses China's "Joint Sword 2024 Alpha" military exercises, describing them as an "Anaconda strategy" intended to blockade and pressure Taiwan following its presidential inauguration. He and Bradley Thayerargue that Washington's "neo-engagement" policy has failed, allowing the CCP to exert influence over American institutions. 1/4 1957 ZHOU
10m May 04
10m
S8 Ep822: The Norse settlement of Greenland, founded by Eric the Red in approximately 985 AD, provides a poignant and sad look at the final chapters of the Viking Age. Excavations at the Herjolfsness graveyard at the southern tip of Greenland have yielded extrao
The Norse settlement of Greenland, founded by Eric the Red in approximately 985 AD, provides a poignant and sad look at the final chapters of the Viking Age. Excavations at the Herjolfsness graveyard at the southern tip of Greenlandhave yielded extraordinary organic material preserved by the permafrost, including the clothing of the last inhabitants. These garments, such as a patched and coarse...
9m May 04
9m
S8 Ep822: The conclusion of the Viking Age is often associated with the pivotal year 1066, marked by the death of Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Hardrada was a legendary King of Norway who had lived an extraordinary life, serving as an imperial b
The conclusion of the Viking Age is often associated with the pivotal year 1066, marked by the death of Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Hardrada was a legendary King of Norway who had lived an extraordinary life, serving as an imperial bodyguard in the Byzantine capital of Constantinople where he was rewarded with gold or "embers of the hands." He sought to reclaim the English...
11m May 04
11m
S8 Ep822: In the Surtshellir lava cave of Iceland, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a mysterious and frightening belief system. This vast cave system, located under a lava field created by a massive eruption around 900 AD, contains a large man-made wall an
In the Surtshellir lava cave of Iceland, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a mysterious and frightening belief system. This vast cave system, located under a lava field created by a massive eruption around 900 AD, contains a large man-made wall and enormous piles of unburnt animal bones located deep in the pitch black. Further into the cave, a stone boat outline was discovered containin...
9m May 04
9m
S8 Ep822: Norse mythology and belief systems were largely recorded by Christian authors in the 13th century, creating a significant historical gap that requires careful interpretation. The primary source for these myths is Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic poet and po
Norse mythology and belief systems were largely recorded by Christian authors in the 13th century, creating a significant historical gap that requires careful interpretation. The primary source for these myths is Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic poet and politician who wrote the Prose Edda as a handbook to help poets access ancestral stories. These myths describe a world born from the meeting of ...
9m May 04
9m
S8 Ep822: Viking raiders often targeted Christian monasteries for their beautifully decorated reliquaries, which were holy containers designed to house the remains of saints. While monks valued the sacred relics inside, the Norse raiders disregarded the contents, o
Viking raiders often targeted Christian monasteries for their beautifully decorated reliquaries, which were holy containers designed to house the remains of saints. While monks valued the sacred relics inside, the Norse raiders disregarded the contents, often shaking the relics out to claim the precious metal and jewels for themselves. These objects were frequently taken back to Norway and repu...
8m May 04
8m
S8 Ep822: The expansion of the Norse into the Kievan Rus created a cultural melting pot where Scandinavian and Slavic groups lived together, leading to significant cultural assimilation. Over time, Norse leaders adopted Slavic names for their children, and names li
The expansion of the Norse into the Kievan Rus created a cultural melting pot where Scandinavian and Slavic groups lived together, leading to significant cultural assimilation. Over time, Norse leaders adopted Slavic names for their children, and names like Helga and Ingvar evolved into the Slavic forms Olga and Igor. A major archaeological mystery discussed is the 2013 discovery of the Salme s...
12m May 04
12m
S8 Ep822: The Viking Age saw a significant transition from small-scale raiding to large-scale military conquest and permanent settlement. A massive raid on Paris yielded seven thousand pounds of gold, highlighting the Vikings' effectiveness as raiders during the de
The Viking Age saw a significant transition from small-scale raiding to large-scale military conquest and permanent settlement. A massive raid on Paris yielded seven thousand pounds of gold, highlighting the Vikings' effectiveness as raiders during the decline of the Carolingian Empire. In 865 AD, what is known as the "Great Heathen Army" arrived in England, functioning as mobile war bands that...
7m May 04
7m
S8 Ep822: Eleanor Barraclough explores the hidden histories of the Viking Age by focusing on the real lives of Norse individuals through everyday objects rather than modern myths. A primary example is a 1200 AD runic message discovered on a sliver of wood in Bergen
Eleanor Barraclough explores the hidden histories of the Viking Age by focusing on the real lives of Norse individuals through everyday objects rather than modern myths. A primary example is a 1200 AD runic message discovered on a sliver of wood in Bergen, Norway, from a woman named Gytha who writes "Gytha says that you should go home" to her husband while he was drinking in a tavern. While Gyt...
11m May 04
11m
S8 Ep821: Following the war, LeMay builds the Strategic Air Command (SAC) into a dominant force, though he struggles as a "fish out of water" in the political environment of Washington. He clashes with Robert McNamara and the Kennedy administration during the Cuba
Following the war, LeMay builds the Strategic Air Command (SAC) into a dominant force, though he struggles as a "fish out of water" in the political environment of Washington. He clashes with Robert McNamara and the Kennedyadministration during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the lead-up to the Vietnam War. LeMay's uncompromising approach leads to the infamous remark about bombing North Vietnam "b...
5m May 04
5m
S8 Ep821: By sunrise, Tokyo is an "apocalyptic wasteland" of rubble and ash, with an estimated 105,000 people dead—a toll four times higher than the bombing of Dresden. Rescuers like Dr. Kuboto describe nightmarish scenes of bodies melted together in piles and rema
By sunrise, Tokyo is an "apocalyptic wasteland" of rubble and ash, with an estimated 105,000 people dead—a toll four times higher than the bombing of Dresden. Rescuers like Dr. Kuboto describe nightmarish scenes of bodies melted together in piles and remains floating in the rivers. On Guam, LeMay feels a sense of relief as reports indicate his gamble was successful and casualties were far lower...
16m May 04
16m
S8 Ep821: The raid begins just after midnight on March 10, with napalm bombs designed to puncture roofs and spray flaming gel inside Tokyo's wooden homes. The resulting fires quickly meld into a catastrophic firestorm that consumes 16 square miles of the city. Surv
The raid begins just after midnight on March 10, with napalm bombs designed to puncture roofs and spray flaming gel inside Tokyo's wooden homes. The resulting fires quickly meld into a catastrophic firestorm that consumes 16 square miles of the city. Survivors recount the horror of hurricane-force winds and a "tidal wave of fire" that causes people's clothing and hair to spontaneously ignite. F...
9m May 04
9m
S8 Ep821: On March 9, 1945, LeMay orders his wing commanders to strip the B-29s of guns and ammunition to maximize their bomb loads, a decision many airmen view as "suicide." Despite warnings from artillery officers that he could lose 70% of his force, LeMay sends
On March 9, 1945, LeMay orders his wing commanders to strip the B-29s of guns and ammunition to maximize their bomb loads, a decision many airmen view as "suicide." Despite warnings from artillery officers that he could lose 70% of his force, LeMay sends over 300 bombers singly at night into the heart of Tokyo. He targets Asakusa, the city's densest residential ward, where over 135,000 people l...
10m May 04
10m
S8 Ep821: Fearing he will be fired for lack of results, LeMay develops a radical, "perilous" plan for low-altitude night bombing without seeking prior approval from his superiors in Washington. He decides to drop the B-29s' altitude from 30,000 feet to just 5,000 f
Fearing he will be fired for lack of results, LeMay develops a radical, "perilous" plan for low-altitude night bombing without seeking prior approval from his superiors in Washington. He decides to drop the B-29s' altitude from 30,000 feet to just 5,000 feet, roughly a mile above the target, to get beneath the jet streams and clouds. To prepare his skeptical aircrews, he forces them to fly trai...
7m May 04
7m
S8 Ep821: James Scott describes Curtis LeMay as a pragmatic, "hardscrabble" problem-solver who put himself through college by working nights in a steel mill. Replacing Hansel after only 44 days, LeMay realizes that high-altitude bombing is an "unsolvable equation"
James Scott describes Curtis LeMay as a pragmatic, "hardscrabble" problem-solver who put himself through college by working nights in a steel mill. Replacing Hansel after only 44 days, LeMay realizes that high-altitude bombing is an "unsolvable equation" given the weather variables. He revamps maintenance, embraces radar, and demonstrates a ruthless focus on results, such as bypassing bureaucra...
13m May 04
13m
S8 Ep821: High-altitude precision bombing fails in Japan primarily due to notorious Pacific weather and violent jet streams with winds reaching 230 mph, which wreck bomber accuracy. The B-29, which cost $3.7 billion to develop—more than the atomic bomb—is a brand-n
High-altitude precision bombing fails in Japan primarily due to notorious Pacific weather and violent jet streams with winds reaching 230 mph, which wreck bomber accuracy. The B-29, which cost $3.7 billion to develop—more than the atomic bomb—is a brand-new, unrefined aircraft prone to frequent engine fires. Crews face grueling 3,000-mile roundtrip missions over a "dark forbidding ocean" with n...
8m May 03
8m
S8 Ep821: James Scott introduces General Haywood Hansel, an intellectual strategist tasked with using the expensive and "buggy" B-29 Superfortress to destroy Japan's industrial capacity in late 1944. Hansel is a pioneer of high-altitude daylight strategic bombing,
James Scott introduces General Haywood Hansel, an intellectual strategist tasked with using the expensive and "buggy" B-29 Superfortress to destroy Japan's industrial capacity in late 1944. Hansel is a pioneer of high-altitude daylight strategic bombing, a theory suggesting that precision strikes on refineries and bridges can collapse a modern economy like a "house of cards." However, the Europ...
11m May 03
11m
S8 Ep820: Dallas the Dog and the Territorial Bird Disputes of New South Wales Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: Jeremy discusses how his dog, Dallas, has established a territorial division in their yard to manage local bird species during the winter,. Dallas is highly
Dallas the Dog and the Territorial Bird Disputes of New South Wales Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: Jeremy discusses how his dog, Dallas, has established a territorial division in their yard to manage local bird species during the winter,. Dallas is highly protective of his "friends," specifically magpies and rosellas, allowing them on the grass while aggressively chasing minor birds and Currawon...
7m May 03
7m
S8 Ep820: Drought Realities and a Miraculous Kangaroo Rescue in Narromine Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: This segment details a dramatic wildlife rescue in Narromine, New South Wales, where a gray kangaroo became trapped up to its neck in a muddy, receding dam durin
Drought Realities and a Miraculous Kangaroo Rescue in Narromine Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: This segment details a dramatic wildlife rescue in Narromine, New South Wales, where a gray kangaroo became trapped up to its neck in a muddy, receding dam during a severe 12-month drought,. A local farmer discovered the animal, which had likely entered the mud in a desperate search for water. Despite ...
6m May 03
6m
S8 Ep820: Ivestigating Allegations Match-Fixing in T20 Cricket Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: John Bachelor and Jeremy Zakis examine a potential match-fixing scandal involving a T20 cricket match between Canada and New Zealand from February 2026,. Allegations surf
Ivestigating Allegations of Match-Fixing in T20 Cricket Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: John Bachelor and Jeremy Zakis examine a potential match-fixing scandal involving a T20 cricket match between Canada and New Zealand from February 2026,. Allegations surfaced after Canada exhibited unusual bowling and batting styles, including a high rate of "no balls" that granted New Zealand easy runs. Zakis...
7m May 03
7m
S8 Ep820: ntarctic Blasts and Economic Shifts in the Australian Winter Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: Jeremy Zakis describes a harsh onset of winter in Sydney, driven by cold Antarctic air funneled through a high-pressure corridor,. While Sydney faces near-freezing o
Cntarctic Blasts and Economic Shifts in the Australian Winter Guest: Jeremy Zakis Summary: Jeremy Zakis describes a harsh onset of winter in Sydney, driven by cold Antarctic air funneled through a high-pressure corridor,. While Sydney faces near-freezing overnight temperatures, Tasmania recently recorded a record-breaking 70°F due to El Niño conditions and a southern warm front. The conversatio...
10m May 03
10m
S8 Ep819: Legacy, Nobel Snubs, and the Fringes of Science Following the confirmation of the Big Bang theory, the cosmic microwave background was measured at approximately 2.73 degrees Kelvin, a discovery that George Gamow spent his final years advocating
Legacy, Nobel Snubs, and the Fringes of Science Following the confirmation of the Big Bang theory, the cosmic microwave background was measured at approximately 2.73 degrees Kelvin, a discovery that George Gamow spent his final years advocating for as a validation of his 1940s work. Gamow, whose health declined due to heavy smoking and alcohol use before his death in 1968, frequently reminded t...
7m May 03
7m
S8 Ep819: Continuous Creation and the Discovery of the Hiss The "Steady State" theory was famously conceptualized after Fred Hoyle and his colleagues, Thomas Gold and Hermann Bondi, watched the looping narrative of the horror film Dead of Night, leading them to pro
Continuous Creation and the Discovery of the Hiss The "Steady State" theory was famously conceptualized after Fred Hoyle and his colleagues, Thomas Gold and Hermann Bondi, watched the looping narrative of the horror film Dead of Night, leading them to propose a universe where matter is continuously created to maintain a constant density as galaxies drift apart. Hoyle described a "creation field...
13m May 03
13m
S8 Ep819: From Radar Research to Stellar Nucleosynthesis Fred Hoyle, born in West Yorkshire in 1915, spent his childhood immersed in the cinema where his mother worked as a pianist, performing classical music for silent films and providing the environment where Hoy
From Radar Research to Stellar Nucleosynthesis Fred Hoyle, born in West Yorkshire in 1915, spent his childhood immersed in the cinema where his mother worked as a pianist, performing classical music for silent films and providing the environment where Hoyle taught himself to read by watching the onscreen subtitles. He pursued his higher education at Cambridge, where he studied under distinguish...
7m May 03
7m
S8 Ep819: The Origins of Two Cosmological Giants George Gamow was born in Odessa in 1904 to a schoolteacher father who had once taught Leon Trotsky, leading to a notable incident where Trotsky attempted to organize a student coup in the classroom by having every st
The Origins of Two Cosmological Giants George Gamow was born in Odessa in 1904 to a schoolteacher father who had once taught Leon Trotsky, leading to a notable incident where Trotsky attempted to organize a student coup in the classroom by having every student sign a single letter of a protest petition to hide individual identities. Gamow'seducation eventually took him to the University of St. ...
12m May 03
12m
S8 Ep818: The Final Years and the Rock of Sydney Chaplin Chaplin's final project, A Countess from Hong Kong, suffered from a mechanical performance by Marlon Brando, who clashed with Chaplin's physical, hands-on directing style. The film's dated 1930s-style roma
The Final Years and the Rock of Sydney Chaplin Chaplin's final project, A Countess from Hong Kong, suffered from a mechanical performance by Marlon Brando, who clashed with Chaplin's physical, hands-on directing style. The film's dated 1930s-style romance failed to resonate with the 1960s audience that was embracing movies like The Graduate. Throughout his long life and final years in Switzerl...
8m May 03
8m
S8 Ep818: Exile to Switzerland and the Loss of Autonomy In 1952, while sailing to Europe, Chaplin learned his U.S. re-entry permit had been revoked by Attorney General James McGranery on moral and political grounds. This forced Chaplin into a permanent exile in Swi
Exile to Switzerland and the Loss of Autonomy In 1952, while sailing to Europe, Chaplin learned his U.S. re-entry permit had been revoked by Attorney General James McGranery on moral and political grounds. This forced Chaplin into a permanent exile in Switzerland, where his wife Oona had to return to America alone to salvage their financial assets and close their studio. While the move provide...
12m May 03
12m
S8 Ep818: Recapitulating Life Through Limelight and Keaton Chaplin's film Limelight served as an atmospheric memoir of his Edwardian theater roots and a creative attempt to process his inability to save his mentally ill mother. The story features an aging music hal
Recapitulating Life Through Limelight and Keaton Chaplin's film Limelight served as an atmospheric memoir of his Edwardian theater roots and a creative attempt to process his inability to save his mentally ill mother. The story features an aging music hall comic who rescues a young woman, played by Claire Bloom, who bore a striking resemblance to Chaplin's wife, Oona. A legendary highlight of ...
7m May 03
7m
S8 Ep818: Professional Failure and the HUAC Assault After purchasing a story idea about a serial killer from Orson Welles, Chaplin produced Monsieur Verdoux, which became his first major professional flop in America. The film's failure coincided with a massive assa
Professional Failure and the HUAC Assault After purchasing a story idea about a serial killer from Orson Welles, Chaplin produced Monsieur Verdoux, which became his first major professional flop in America. The film's failure coincided with a massive assault by the House Un-American Activities Committee and J. Edgar Hoover, who targeted Chaplin for his personal life and perceived radicalism. D...
11m May 03
11m
S8 Ep818: The Joan Barry Scandal and FBI Orchestration Chaplin's life took a tragic turn during a volatile relationship with an aspiring actress named Joan Barry, who once held him at gunpoint. Barry later claimed Chaplin was the father of her child, leading to a h
The Joan Barry Scandal and FBI Orchestration Chaplin's life took a tragic turn during a volatile relationship with an aspiring actress named Joan Barry, who once held him at gunpoint. Barry later claimed Chaplin was the father of her child, leading to a high-profile paternity suit and a Mann Act indictment for transporting her across state lines. Although blood tests definitively proved Chapli...
8m May 03
8m
S8 Ep818: Political Awakenings and the Universal Silent Hero During a 1931 world tour, Chaplin was appalled by the hopelessness of the global depression, which inspired the social commentary in Modern Times. This period marked the beginning of his troubles with the
Political Awakenings and the Universal Silent Hero During a 1931 world tour, Chaplin was appalled by the hopelessness of the global depression, which inspired the social commentary in Modern Times. This period marked the beginning of his troubles with the FBI, who surveilled him despite his conservative financial habits and immense wealth. Chaplin famously resisted the transition to sound to p...
12m May 03
12m
S8 Ep818: The Birth of the Tramp and Absolute Self-Confidence Upon arriving in America, Chaplin's colleagues, including Stan Laurel, noted his unusual professional habits and his absolute, unwavering self-confidence. While working for Max Sennett at Keystone, Chap
The Birth of the Tramp and Absolute Self-Confidence Upon arriving in America, Chaplin's colleagues, including Stan Laurel, noted his unusual professional habits and his absolute, unwavering self-confidence. While working for Max Sennett at Keystone, Chaplin was initially considered too handsome for comedy, prompting him to assemble the iconic "Tramp" costume from mismatched wardrobe items in a...
8m May 03
8m
S8 Ep818: Charlie Chaplin's life was fundamentally shaped by his early years in the Lambeth Workhouse, where receiving a single orange for Christmas became a haunting symbol of his poverty. His father died young of alcoholism, and his mother, Hannah Hill, struggled
Charlie Chaplin's life was fundamentally shaped by his early years in the Lambeth Workhouse, where receiving a single orange for Christmas became a haunting symbol of his poverty. His father died young of alcoholism, and his mother, Hannah Hill, struggled with profound mental instability and syphilis, leaving Chaplin and his brother Sydney to rely on the "tender mercies" of Victorian institutio...
10m May 03
10m