Best Deep Dives In The Shallow End Podcasts (2025)

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Introducing The Chinatown Sting: Lucky Bird 38:49

Play Pause

1d ago38:49

38:49

Here’s a preview of a new Pushkin podcast, The Chinatown Sting. In the late 1980s, a group of women connected through the mahjong parlors in Manhattan’s Chinatown were caught in a massive undercover drug bust. But this bust was just the beginning of an even bigger case. Host Lidia Jean Kott and co-reporter Shuyu Wang interview sources who’ve never …

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The HOA: Suburban Stalinism With Better Landscaping 15:13

2M ago15:13

15:13

HOAs: The American Dream, now with a side of fines, surveillance, and neighborly tyranny. In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, we investigate how homeowners associations became the last bastion of beige power, policing everything from your grass height to your social circle, and occasionally your soul. Expect a high-octane mix of dark …

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Tipping Point: How America Weaponized Gratitude 17:47

2M ago17:47

17:47

Why does America tip? And how did a supposedly generous gesture become an instrument of wage theft, bias, and competitive guilt? Host Donovan digs into the absurd history of American tipping by blending sharp(ish) research, biting humor(ish), and disturbing(ish) facts to unravel how “gratuity” turned into a national pastime of passing the buck. You…

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Marriage, But Make It Extortion: The Wedding Industrial Complex 12:55

2M ago12:55

12:55

The wedding industry wants you to believe that “love conquers all,” including your checking account. On this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, host Donovan takes a razor-sharp (and slightly sticky) scalpel to the Wedding Industrial Complex. Get the real story behind $30,000 barn venues, $4,000 cake disasters, and why the price of peonies co…

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Lunch Debt & Meat Slurry: Inside America's Cafeteria Crisis 17:46

2M ago17:46

17:46

In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, Donovan takes us behind the sneeze guard to expose the tragic comedy of American school lunches. From Cold War cheese hoarding to modern-day lunch debt collectors, we explore how a system meant to nourish kids became a showcase for processed shame, outdated policy, and corporate leftovers. We ask: H…

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Constitution-Free Vacation Zone: How the CBP Can Search Your Phone 13:40

6M ago13:40

13:40

What if I told you that nearly 200 million Americans live in a zone where the Constitution is more of a vibe than a legal guarantee? In this episode, we dive headfirst into the 100-mile border zone—a legally murky area where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has sweeping authority to search your phone, your data, and possibly your soul... all wit…

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From Phonics to Profiteering: The Failure of the K12 Education System 21:21

6M ago21:21

21:21

Welcome to Deep Dives in the Shallow End, where host Donovan drags the American K–12 education system out behind the gym and gives it the wedgie it so richly deserves. In From Phonics to Profiteering, we explore how a public good became a private grift—ripping through the cobwebbed history, savage inequalities, test-mania, teacher burnout, corporat…

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WebMD, Web of Woes: The Dark Art of Self-Diagnosis 22:00

7M ago22:00

22:00

In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, we take you on a wild ride through the ever-expanding world of self-diagnosis. From hypochondria’s finest moments to the endless rabbit holes of WebMD and TikTok health trends, we explore how the internet has turned us all into amateur doctors—and how that sometimes leads to more anxiety than answer…

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The Death of Expertise: How the Confidently Incorrect Rule the World 18:54

7M ago18:54

18:54

In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, we unravel the twisted wreckage of modern anti-intellectualism, where ignorance is celebrated, Wikipedia warriors reign supreme, and Socrates would probably down a hemlock cocktail just to escape Twitter. From the infamous Dunning-Kruger effect to the rise of “do your own research” epidemiologists, …

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Impulse Purchases: Why Your Brain Betrays Your Wallet 13:39

8M ago13:39

13:39

Ever walked into a store for toothpaste and left with a jade egg, a scented candle, and a regret-laden bank statement? You’re not alone. In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, we unravel the psychological traps that retailers use to turn rational humans into impulse-buying maniacs. From FOMO-fueled flash sales to manipulative store layou…

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Parasocial Purgatory: The Price of Digital Intimacy 12:24

9M ago12:24

12:24

Welcome back to Deep Dives in the Shallow End! In this episode, Donovan unpacks the surreal world of parasocial relationships—where emotional bonds are forged with influencers, creators, and even brands that don’t know we exist. From curated content to the dark side of digital intimacy, this episode explores the psychology, the economics, and the a…

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The Great Green Scam: Unmasking Corporate Greenwashing 17:45

9M ago17:45

17:45

Join host Donovan in this eye-opening episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End as he exposes the deceptive world of corporate greenwashing. From oil giants to fast fashion, discover how companies spend millions marketing themselves as eco-friendly while doing little for the environment. With sharp wit and compelling statistics, Donovan breaks down …

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Skimpflation: Paying More for Less in Corporate America's Race to the Bottom 10:32

9M ago10:32

10:32

Join host Donovan for a darkly humorous deep dive into skimpflation - the corporate trend of degrading services while maintaining or increasing prices. From vanishing airline amenities to ghost town retail stores, discover how companies are mastering the art of charging more for less while calling it "enhancement." #capitalism #comedy #economics #c…

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The Great Shrinkflation Swindle: Why Your Chips Are Mostly Air 13:32

10M ago13:32

13:32

In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, we take a hilariously bleak look at "shrinkflation"—the sneaky corporate tactic of giving you less product for the same price. From bite-sized Snickers to vanishing toilet paper sheets, we explore how capitalism’s favorite magic trick is shrinking your snacks, your soap, and your sanity. We unpack t…

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Clean Cars, Dirty Secrets: The EV Episode 20:09

10M ago20:09

20:09

Think your electric vehicle is saving the planet? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, we pop the hood on the EV revolution to expose the uncomfortable truths the car companies don't want you to know. From child labor in cobalt mines to the dirty secrets of battery production, we're charging straight into the dark side of clean energy. We'll c…

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Waist-Deep Dive: Digital Panopticon - When AI Becomes Your Manager 11:57

10M ago11:57

11:57

Ever wonder why your workplace bathroom breaks are getting shorter and your anxiety is getting longer? Join Donovan as he dives into the dystopian world of AI workplace surveillance, where your keyboard strokes are monitored, your emotions are analyzed, and your productivity is tracked down to the last mouse click. From the dark origins of the time…

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The Automation Apocalypse: How AI is Reshaping the Future of Work 16:48

10M ago16:48

16:48

Is your job safe? Join Donovan on Deep Dives in the Shallow End as he explores the chillingly efficient world of AI and automation in the workplace. From self-checkout kiosks to AI-generated art, Donovan unpacks how these advancements are changing the game—and leaving many of us on the sidelines. He dives into the potential consequences of widespre…

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Waist-Deep Dive: Fast Fashion's Digital Dopamine - Haul Culture 6:56

10M ago6:56

6:56

Join host Donovan in this bite-sized episode of "Waste Deep Dive" as he dissects the psychological wasteland of social media haul culture. From 3 AM TikTok scrolling to the dopamine rush of watching strangers spend thousands on fast fashion, this episode explores the intersection of consumer psychology, social media addiction, and the environmental…

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Fast Fashion: When Trends Become Trash 16:12

10M ago16:12

16:12

Join Donovan as he unravels the tangled threads of fast fashion, exposing its devastating environmental and human costs. From overflowing landfills to exploited workers, discover the dark side of your wardrobe and what you can do to make a difference. We'll explore the psychology of consumerism, the role of social media, and the promising alternati…

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Waist-Deep Dive: Food Was Weird in the 60s 8:05

10M ago8:05

8:05

This is our first "Waist-Deep Dive," where we explore a topic that was found to be fascinating during the research of the main story (in this case, the Diet Culture Decoded episode), but did not quite fit there in it's entirety. So consider the Waist-Deep Dive as more of a companion piece to the original. This time, we are going to step into the bi…

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Important Lost Hills - Dark Canyon Update 20:13

11M ago20:13

20:13

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department listened to our podcast and now they’re asking us some new questions — and answering some of ours. Are they ready to reopen the investigation into Mitrice’s death? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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Diet Culture Decoded: The Marketing Myths Behind 'Health' Foods 15:59

11M ago15:59

15:59

Join Donovan as he peels back the glossy labels of the health food industry to reveal the manipulative marketing tactics behind your "healthy" choices. From the low-fat craze of the 60s to today's gluten-free gold rush, this episode exposes how the food industry has weaponized our insecurities and health aspirations against us. Through sharp wit an…

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The Subscription Apocalypse: How We Became Digital Renters 14:56

11M ago14:56

14:56

In this sardonic deep dive, Donovan exposes the dark underbelly of the subscription economy that's slowly bleeding us dry $12.99 at a time. From forgotten meditation apps to the streaming service wars, discover how we transformed from proud owners into perpetual renters in just one decade. Learn why that "cancel anytime" button is harder to find th…

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Indentured & Independent: Freedom and Fatigue in Gig Life 14:04

11M ago14:04

14:04

In this episode of Deep Dives in the Shallow End, we put hustle culture on blast and offers a heartfelt “thank you” to the gig economy…for our daily existential crisis. From recording in his hatchback en route to sell plasma (for the rent), Donovan navigates the wild, soul-crushing world of modern side hustles. Think freelancing is freedom? Think a…

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Mall Rats and Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Retail Cathedrals 13:15

11M ago13:15

13:15

Step into the time machine as we take you on a hilarious and nostalgic journey through the glory days of American malls. From the neon-lit fountains to the sticky floors of the food court, we're diving deep into the shallow end of consumerism's greatest hits. In this episode, we'll explore: The birth of the mall and how it became America's favorite…

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Trash Talk: Unraveling the Global Waste Crisis 15:37

11M ago15:37

15:37

Buckle up, eco-warriors and trash enthusiasts! Join host Donovan as he dumpster dives into the hilariously horrifying world of international waste trade. 'Trash Talk' is where your everyday garbage becomes a global soap opera, complete with villains, heroes, and a whole lot of dirty laundry (literally and figuratively). From enough e-waste that cou…

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University 43:23

1y ago43:23

43:23

Hello everyone and welcome back to the ATDE podcast, this episode I do a deep dive into University. My experience so far, expectations v. reality, busting some unreasonable myths and giving you all some advice for this new chapter of life. Love Eleanor Let me know your thoughts and ideas! Support the show…

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Politics: tackling taboo 23:18

1y ago23:18

23:18

Hello everyone, I hope everyone is safe and well. This episode I discuss the taboo of politics and explain my connection to the subject as a student, and how I want to bring that connection to the ATDE podcast. Politics should be for everyone, so here is a preview of digestible politics (for beginners). In this week's episode I discuss the importan…

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Gap years with Micky Power 49:24

1y ago49:24

49:24

Hello everyone, I am back and so is the podcast! As summer comes to an end with results season right around the corner and the unknown future for many people, this episode I talk to guest Micky on his experience taking a year out of studies. He gives advice about living in another country and travelling around parts of the world all within the 12 m…

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12. Dig Two Graves 42:24

1y ago42:24

42:24

Dana lays out all the evidence, and we await results from forensic testing. We reconnect with Mitrice’s loved ones, as they celebrate what would have been her 39th birthday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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11. The Suitcase 33:47

1y ago33:47

33:47

A round of cold calls yields brand new information tying the Person of Interest to Mitrice. We return to the fort in the woods, and make a startling discovery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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10. The Wallypad 30:15

1y ago30:15

30:15

The home of a local firefighter is infiltrated by an informant hoping to get more information on the Person of Interest. And a hike planned for Dark Canyon instead leads to the Lost Hills Station. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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9. Fearful Witness 33:12

1y ago33:12

33:12

A 2011 exhumation of Mitrice’s remains leads to a second autopsy. Meanwhile, a woman describes a disturbing encounter in Monte Nido around the time of Mitrice’s death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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8. Rick Trouble 37:21

1y ago37:21

37:21

We learn everything we can about our Person of Interest — a longtime member of the Monte Nido community, who went from golden boy to convict to off-the-grid survivalist living in the woods. We check his criminal history and discover a troubling pattern of violence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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7. In the Shit 34:50

1y ago34:50

34:50

Looking for a way into Dark Canyon, we follow a former pot grower on a treacherous route, and pay a visit to the Porn Ranch, which borders Dark Canyon. Plus, a retired LASD sergeant reveals that there was a Person of Interest in the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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6. Reconnaissance 31:45

1y ago31:45

31:45

Eleven months after her disappearance, Mitrice’s naked remains are discovered in an abandoned pot field in Dark Canyon, just above Monte Nido. Deputies on scene make a controversial decision, sparking conflict with the LA County Coroner. And Mitrice’s recovered clothing goes missing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Bonus: Get Jim 32:48

1+ y ago32:48

32:48

Three years before Mitrice’s arrest, Mel Gibson was arrested for drunk driving on Pacific Coast Highway. An interview with the arresting officer, James Mee, reveals the power wielded by celebrities in Malibu. Would Mitrice’s story have ended differently if she were rich and famous? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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5. So Close 40:04

1+ y ago40:04

40:04

As the months pass with no sign of Mitrice, rumors abound. Law enforcement questions the artist behind a creepy mural. And deputies raid a fort in the wilderness looking for human remains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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4. Hopscotch 32:22

1+ y ago32:22

32:22

Six hours after her release from Lost Hills Station, Mitrice is spotted in the rural community of Monte Nido. Investigators find Mitrice’s footprints, and neighbors report unusual disturbances around the time of her disappearance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

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3. Call for Help 41:58

1+ y ago41:58

41:58

Mitrice arrives at Geoffrey’s restaurant in Malibu on Sept. 16, 2009, claiming she’s there to “avenge the death of Michael Jackson.” When she walks out without paying, a restaurant staffer calls 911. Deputies bring Mitrice to Lost Hills Station, where Mitrice’s cellmate overhears a worrying conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info…

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2. My Light 41:59

1+ y ago41:59

41:59

Investigators search Mitrice’s impounded car and find several journals she wrote in the last months of her life. Never before shared publicly, the journals offer details about Mitrice’s mental state and her complicated love life. We track down an old girlfriend, who reveals Mitrice’s secret struggle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…

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1. Vultures 36:16

1+ y ago36:16

36:16

As Mitrice Richardson’s disappearance dominates news headlines, the Sheriff’s Department defends its decision to release her with no phone, no wallet, and no ride. Meanwhile, Mitrice’s autopsy raises puzzling questions about a missing bone, and a long-buried interview introduces a new witness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Coming Soon - Season 4, Dark Canyon 3:45

1+ y ago3:45

3:45

The disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson remains Malibu, CA’s most baffling unsolved case. It’s been nearly 14 years since her remains were discovered in a remote canyon, and still, no one has been held accountable for her demise. From the beginning, the LA County Sheriff’s Department said Richardson’s case likely couldn’t be solved. And t…

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Crash from Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock 22:06

1+ y ago22:06

22:06

You’ve heard of artist Jackson Pollock, but you may have never heard of Lee Krasner. Krasner was an artist, Pollock’s wife, and the woman who made him famous. She also changed everything about the landscape of modern art. Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock is a story about love, power, alcoholism and an ill-timed death. Hosted by curator, auth…

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Home sickness 22:40

1+ y ago22:40

22:40

hello everyone, this episode i'll be talking about Home sickness, i feel like it's that sort off buffer zone in the year where we are all reminiscing the holidays and the comforts of our homes - and its tricky. Over time i have put together my top tips of getting through home sickness for you all so we can power through together! Lots of love and a…

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winter reading recs 33:17

1+ y ago33:17

33:17

Hello everyone - this sem has been heavy so this episode i thought i would do a chilled reading catch up with you all. I've taken my own advice (listen to the previous episodes) and have started my yearly goal off strong with these reads. Below are all the titles and authors so you can go and check them out if any pick your fancy! lots of love - El…

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It's ok to be imperfect 37:13

1+ y ago37:13

37:13

Hello everyone! This episode i go into a bit more depth on resolutions and the pressures of setting goals, how we can make goals challenging yet achievable and specific tips to help get the January ball rolling. As always follow the pod on your streaming platform and my instagram @eleanorcoller for more updates and poddy content - Eleanor x Let me …

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My roman empire 27:56

1+ y ago27:56

27:56

Hello everyone happy 2024! WE ARE BACK... again. New years resolution to restart the podcast once again because wow so much has changed (roman empire) and I am back to start off the ATDE podcast and start creating more episodes again for you all. It feels so good to have a recording going out again and I can't wait to produce more. This episode is …

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Ripple from Western Sound: The BP Oil Spill 4:20

1+ y ago4:20

4:20

Hosted by Dan Leone, Lost Hill's composer and sound designer, Ripple is a new investigative show that revisits major stories to judge their lasting impacts. This season investigates the BP Oil Spill — was an environmental disaster prevented or has it been ignored? Subscribe now to Ripple. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Black Heroes of Surfing 24:59

2y ago24:59

24:59

Textured Waves is a Black female surf collective focused on promoting diversity in the water and teaching Black youth to surf. In this bonus episode, Dana talks to two of the collective’s founding members, Chelsea Woody and Martina Duran, about joy in the ocean, localism, and an accomplished Black surfer from the era of Miki Dora. See omnystudio.co…