Best Dark History Time With Brian Podcasts (2025)

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Merle Haggard (Pt. 2): Surviving Christmas, Cosmic American Aliens, and Cocaine Clarity 36:30

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19h ago36:30

36:30

A cosmic-country dust-up with Gram Parsons. A months-long cocaine spiral. An alien obsession, and a bleak Christmas single that wouldn’t quit. Death threats, pistols, pardons, and “Pancho & Lefty.” Listen to find out how Merle Haggard survived another December and lived to rewrite country music. For the full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠disgracela…

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Merle Haggard (Pt. 1): A Christmas Robbery Leads To Hard Time at San Quentin 36:01

5d ago36:01

36:01

Merle Haggard was what authorities liked to call a “repeat offender.” He was arrested for riding trains, for skipping school, for stealing cars, for robbing gas stations, and for attempting to knock over a restaurant – during the Christmas Eve rush. He was committed to juvenile halls, correctional facilities, and reform schools 17 times, and 17 tim…

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DevConnect 2025: Inside The Biggest Ethereum Event in History 44:43

5d ago44:43

44:43

“DevConnect 2025 was about touching and feeling Ethereum IRL”Nathan Sexer, lead of the DevConnect 2025 and Events team at the Ethereum Foundation, gives a peek into the largest iteration of Devconnect ever, with 20,000 attendees, and why the team pivoted to a "World's Fair" format, creating tangible districts for DeFi and Privacy to let attendees t…

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Bonus Episode: Killer Concert Films 42:22

6d ago42:22

42:22

Why The Last Waltz is the greatest concert film of all time plus, in the exclusive section of this bonus episode, a long list of other favorites and some criminally overlooked live gems with Jake and Zeth. You can become an All Access member and hear this and more exclusive content, along with ad-free listening of all Disgraceland episodes, by goin…

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Martin Scorsese, The Band, and The Last Waltz: A Thanksgiving Story 41:02

8d ago41:02

41:02

Martin Scorsese’s death wish. Bob Dylan’s theft. Robbie Robertson’s cocaine purchase. Four thousand pounds of turkey. Two thousand pounds of candied yams. Eight hundred pounds of pies and ninety gallons of gravy. What’s it all mean? It means that Disgraceland has a Thanksgiving episode about the making of The Last Waltz that you’ll be grateful you …

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How AI Will Change Hollywood Forever: Tye Sheridan & Nikola Todorovic on AI, VFX, and the Future of Filmmaking 1:03:35

8d ago1:03:35

1:03:35

A Note from James: Tye Sheridan is one of my favorite actors. You might know him as Cyclops in the X-Men movies (Apocalypse, etc.) or as the lead in Ready Player One—which is not only a great movie but also one of my favorite sci-fi books. One of his first films was Mud with Matthew McConaughey. What I didn’t realize: since 2016, while still acting…

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Why is the SEC Concerned about Privacy now? 1:02:58

10d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

At DevConnect 2025, Sebastian and Friederike speak with Peter Van Valkenburgh about the rapidly evolving battle for digital rights. Peter challenges the industry's comfort with transparency, arguing that "transparency will destroy neutrality." He uses the history of SWIFT to illustrate how a once-neutral messaging system was captured by geopolitica…

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AI That Helps, Schools That Don’t, and How Not to Go Crazy with Prof. Brian Keating 1:41:08

11d ago1:41:08

1:41:08

Episode Description: James sits down with astrophysicist Brian Keating for a candid, useful tour through three hot zones: how to think about AI (and where it actually helps), what’s broken in higher ed and admissions right now, and why outsourcing your mood to politics is a losing strategy. You’ll hear first-hand stories (from UC San Diego classroo…

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Martin Scorsese (Pt. 2): One Night. One Murder. Five Directors 46:36

12d ago46:36

46:36

Hollywood:1975. Martin Scorsese sits in his apartment, enraged. He wants to literally kill the man who is ruining his to-be-released film, Taxi Driver. Scorsese’s friends, filmmakers Stephen Spielberg, Brian De Palma, John Milius, and Paul Schraeder rush to Scorsese’s side to talk him out of committing murder, but when they arrive, their friend Mar…

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Kent Heckenlively on Catastrophic Disclosure: UFO Whistleblowers, Government Spin, and James’s 85% Rule 1:01:38

12d ago1:01:38

1:01:38

A Note from James: Are UFOs real or not? For 80 years there have been credible whistleblowers saying the government recovered craft—and even bodies. That’s why I wanted Kent Heckenlively on, the author of Catastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth. I’m not here to decide for you. I want to hear the best evidence, ask the obvious…

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Bonus Episode: A Brief History of Gun Violence from Music’s Past 39:15

13d ago39:15

39:15

“The Devil’s Right Hand" – the gun. Many have died by it in music history. From the unknown piano player who helped influence rock ‘n’ roll to iconic stars like Marvin Gaye and John Lennon. On the heels of our Dr. John episode detailing the shooting that changed the trajectory of his career, and in advance of our Martin Scorsese archive episode det…

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Dr. John: A Shooting, Federal Prison, and Voodoo Healing 35:41

15d ago35:41

35:41

A gunshot ended his career as a guitar player, but opened up a path to becoming an iconic piano man. Heroin, pimping, and federal prison nearly ended him, but Voodoo––and music––saved him. Listen to find out how one of New Orleans’ most notorious musicians, Mac Rebennack, became Dr. John. For a full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracela…

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Tommy James and the Shondells: Mony Mony and Mafia-Sanctioned Hits 43:46

19d ago43:46

43:46

Tommy James came up during a time when the music industry was in part controlled by New York’s Italian mafia. And for a period in the 1960s, that power was centralized at Roulette Records. The record label was run by convicted extortionist Morris Levy and operated in partnership with the Genovese crime family. Tommy James’ hits were sanctioned by t…

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Bonus: From the Nitrous Mafia to the Italian Mafia, the Criminal Enterprises That Infiltrate Music Culture 36:19

20d ago36:19

36:19

Gangsters, rude boys, drug dealers, soviet bootleggers, ticket scalping syndicates, and psychedelic chemists—why do criminals like the “Nitrous Mafia” associated with Phish, and the Italian Mafia linked to Tommy James, so often infiltrate and influence music culture? This topic, along with your voicemails, texts, and emails, and in the All Access p…

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Cosmos: The Linux of Blockchains? 55:06

13d ago55:06

55:06

Captured live at Cosmoverse 2025, this episode brings host Sebastian in conversation with Michael (better known as Cryptocito, Cosmos investor via Cito Ventures) and Magnus (@0xMagmar, Co-CEO Cosmos Labs). Against a backdrop of institutional gravitas, central banks mingling alongside Revolut executives, the conversation traces Cosmos' arc across fi…

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Phish: Community, Hippie Crack, and the Nitrous Mafia 39:47

22d ago39:47

39:47

A parking lot ruled by shady nitrous oxide dealers. And a bandleader whose addiction nearly killed him. This is the story of Trey Anastasio and Phish – and their improbable comeback. For a full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To listen to Disgraceland ad free and hear an exclusive mini-episode that further explor…

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Wisdom Takes Work: Ryan Holiday on What AI Can’t Teach You 1:02:08

22d ago1:02:08

1:02:08

A Note from James: Wisdom Takes Work is Ryan Holiday’s fourth book exploring the Stoic virtues, and this time he’s taking on the big one — wisdom. His earlier books on courage, temperance, and justice were all great conversations, but this one hit me personally. I’ve often thought I had wisdom, only to realize later that I didn’t — or at least not …

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U2: Death Threats, a Song that Inspired a Killer, and the Murder of Rebecca Schaeffer 40:35

25d ago40:35

40:35

Years before a free album made them the most unpopular popular band on the planet, U2 ran into the arms of America. In 1987, touring behind their blockbuster album The Joshua Tree, their songs became lightning rods for violence. They received death threats in the States and became targets of terrorists back in their native Ireland. But it was the s…

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Bonus: The Next Incel Killer Already Has A Playlist 37:31

26d ago37:31

37:31

This episode is being published for the first time on Friday, November 7th. An episode of the same title was mistakenly published previously. The media blamed AC/DC for inspiring a serial killer. Rebecca Shaefer’s murderer claimed inspiration from a U2 song. When the next incel murder happens, will we blame Morrissey? Radiohead? Or will we finally …

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Yield Basis: Disrupting Defi & Bitcoin Yield 1:00:05

27d ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Brian Fabian Crain and Michael Egorov, Curve Finance founder, discuss Curve's origins: solving inefficient DAI/USDC swaps after MakerDAO borrows by creating a DeFi AMM for stablecoins and LSTs. It hit 1M TVL with a bonding curve concentrating liquidity at 1:1, more effective for pegged assets than Uniswap. Features grew to include BTC wrappers, stE…

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Jeff Pearlman on Tupac Shakur: The Myths, the Music, and the Man Behind the Legend 52:26

28d ago52:26

52:26

A Note from James Tupac Shakur—one of the greatest rap artists ever—was shot and killed almost two decades ago. What else is there left to say about him? What new things can be said? Well, Jeff Pearlman’s new book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, takes on that challenge. In our conversation, we talk about what Jeff uncovered …

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AC/DC Pt. 2: Dirty Deeds, Dead Friends, and Murder for Hire 42:22

29d ago42:22

42:22

This is the story of the greatest rock ’n’ roll band on earth. AC/DC was forged in discipline, sharpened by grief, resurrected by obsession … and nearly undone by one final dirty deed that no one saw coming: murder. For a full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To listen to Disgraceland ad free and hear an exclusive m…

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AC/DC pt. 1: A Satanic Serial Killer, A Police Man Hunt, and a Media Witch Hunt 41:05

1M ago41:05

41:05

In the 1980s, AC/DC’s biggest fan was a notorious serial killer. The band was an international best-selling hit machine, and members like the late Bon Scott and die-hard Angus Young became rock icons. But when the press caught wind of the disturbing fandom of the serial killer Richard “The Night Stalker” Ramirez, the news quickly dragged the world’…

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Bonus Episode: Why Does Hollywood Ignore The Most Impactful Music? 36:11

1M ago36:11

36:11

This week in the After Party, Jake wonders why horror film soundtracks, despite their importance to the mood of their films, are so often ignored by Hollywood when it comes to award season. Plus, we hear from you on the movies that scare you. Next week we're bringing you a brand new part 2 episode on AC/DC. AC/DC's Back in Black is the biggest sell…

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Lamina1: Building The Future of The Creator Economy 59:47

1M ago59:47

59:47

Sci-fi titan Neal Stephenson, whose Snow Crash coined the term 'metaverse' and Cryptonomicon, which foreshadowed crypto in 1999, joins Friederike to discuss his "hard sci-fi" method: building immersive, consistent worlds, not prophecy. He's now co-founder of Lamina1, aiming to restore Web1's ethos and give creators IP sovereignty with direct microp…

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Former FBI Agent, Eric O’Neill on Spies, Lies, and the Cyber Wars We’re Already Losing 57:47

1M ago57:47

57:47

A Note from James Oh my gosh—I was scared after this one. In this episode, I learned about what’s really on the dark web… and the even scarier stuff on what’s called the deep web. Eric O’Neill—who, by the way, is the former FBI agent who brought down Robert Hanssen, the biggest double agent in U.S. history—joined me for this conversation. Hanssen w…

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The Exorcist: Demonic Possession, Mass Hysteria, and NYC’s Unsolved Murders 41:26

1M ago41:26

41:26

William Friedkin's film The Exorcist terrified audiences upon its release in 1973. They fainted, vomited, and went into hysterics in the theaters. Some overwhelmed viewers left early, only to return the next day, buying another ticket to see if they could make it to the end. But the story behind The Exorcist is just as compelling as the story on th…

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Robert Johnson: Voodoo, Delta Blues, Cursing God, and a Crossroads 44:14

1M ago44:14

44:14

Robert Johnson didn’t just play the blues. He embodied them. He drank and womanized his way through the South, New York, and Chicago in the 1930s, until he finally met the devil at the crossroads for a little trade. So the legend goes, anyway. With the same soul he supposedly sold to the devil, Robert Johnson belted lightning blues that captured tr…

Dark History Time With Brian Podcasts

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Dark History Time with Brian

Dark History Time with Brian

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Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

Epicenter Media Ltd.

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DISGRACELAND

Double Elvis Productions

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LED, LIGHT EXTINGUISHING DARKNESS!

Brian Kruis

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The James Altucher Show

James Altucher

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Merle Haggard (Pt. 2): Surviving Christmas, Cosmic American Aliens, and Cocaine Clarity 36:30

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Merle Haggard (Pt. 1): A Christmas Robbery Leads To Hard Time at San Quentin 36:01

1
DevConnect 2025: Inside The Biggest Ethereum Event in History 44:43

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Bonus Episode: Killer Concert Films 42:22

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Martin Scorsese, The Band, and The Last Waltz: A Thanksgiving Story 41:02

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How AI Will Change Hollywood Forever: Tye Sheridan & Nikola Todorovic on AI, VFX, and the Future of Filmmaking 1:03:35

1
Why is the SEC Concerned about Privacy now? 1:02:58

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AI That Helps, Schools That Don’t, and How Not to Go Crazy with Prof. Brian Keating 1:41:08

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Martin Scorsese (Pt. 2): One Night. One Murder. Five Directors 46:36

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Kent Heckenlively on Catastrophic Disclosure: UFO Whistleblowers, Government Spin, and James’s 85% Rule 1:01:38

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Bonus Episode: A Brief History of Gun Violence from Music’s Past 39:15

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Dr. John: A Shooting, Federal Prison, and Voodoo Healing 35:41

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Tommy James and the Shondells: Mony Mony and Mafia-Sanctioned Hits 43:46

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Bonus: From the Nitrous Mafia to the Italian Mafia, the Criminal Enterprises That Infiltrate Music Culture 36:19

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Cosmos: The Linux of Blockchains? 55:06

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Phish: Community, Hippie Crack, and the Nitrous Mafia 39:47

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Wisdom Takes Work: Ryan Holiday on What AI Can’t Teach You 1:02:08

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U2: Death Threats, a Song that Inspired a Killer, and the Murder of Rebecca Schaeffer 40:35

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Bonus: The Next Incel Killer Already Has A Playlist 37:31

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Yield Basis: Disrupting Defi & Bitcoin Yield 1:00:05

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Jeff Pearlman on Tupac Shakur: The Myths, the Music, and the Man Behind the Legend 52:26

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AC/DC Pt. 2: Dirty Deeds, Dead Friends, and Murder for Hire 42:22

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AC/DC pt. 1: A Satanic Serial Killer, A Police Man Hunt, and a Media Witch Hunt 41:05

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Bonus Episode: Why Does Hollywood Ignore The Most Impactful Music? 36:11

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Lamina1: Building The Future of The Creator Economy 59:47

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Former FBI Agent, Eric O’Neill on Spies, Lies, and the Cyber Wars We’re Already Losing 57:47

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The Exorcist: Demonic Possession, Mass Hysteria, and NYC’s Unsolved Murders 41:26

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Robert Johnson: Voodoo, Delta Blues, Cursing God, and a Crossroads 44:14