Best Misery Machine Podcasts (2026)

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The Case of Alexis Schuler 20:08

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9h ago20:08

20:08

In Capitol Heights, Maryland, a mother of three vanished, and the truth behind her disappearance would shock everyone who loved her. Alexis Schuler was brutally shot in the head by Devonte Gray, the father of one of her children, in an act of unimaginable violence and betrayal. To add insult to injury, her body was encased in concrete and hidden be…

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Grok’s "Digital Undressing" Crisis and a Manifesto to Build a Better Internet 1:15:33

24m ago1:15:33

1:15:33

In this episode of “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel discusses the nightmare playing out on Elon Musk’s X: Grok, the platform’s embedded AI chatbot, is being used to generate and spread nonconsensual sexualized images—often through “undressing” prompts that turn harassment into a viral game. Warzel describes how what once lived on the internet’s fring…

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Jim Goodwin's temper and Darren O'Dea the 'stalwart' 57:27

1h ago57:27

57:27

Dundee United are preparing to face Celtic in Martin O'Neill's second interim stint as Hoops boss. What sort of Celtic side will the Tangerines face and does Jim Goodwin have a bone to pick with O'Neill over being sent to the Parkhead reserves by the legendary gaffer? Meanwhile, Dundee are set to host Hearts in a box office live TV game on Sunday. …

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The Case of John Torneo 19:00

1h ago19:00

19:00

After a long career in nursing, John Torneo did what many retirees do... they pack up and head on down to the Sunshine State to live out their golden years in the warm weather. While in Florida, John met a young man that was down on his luck and needed a place to stay. Unfortunately, John's kind nature would put him in grave danger when the arrange…

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Ash makes Hay on Dundee derby day! 26:21

2h ago26:21

26:21

It’s derby day delight for Dundee. Ash Hay was the hero as the Dark Blues claimed their second successive victory at Tannadice. The team chat over a fine first half showing, a resolute showing after the break and discuss what it would take to tempt Luke Graham away from Dens Park. What next for United? Why did the Dee seem to want it more in the op…

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Scotland’s most in-form derby! 22:20

4d ago22:20

22:20

It is derby day this weekend – who will come out on top at Tannadice? Will it be in-form Dundee United who dominated Livi in midweek? Or will it be in-form Dundee who dominated Killie in midweek? It is a rare event on Twa Teams, One Street where both our teams have won their last game – even rarer when it’s ahead of a derby. Previewing all the dram…

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The New Mainstream Media 1:04:20

4d ago1:04:20

1:04:20

In this episode of “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel opens with 5 predictions for 2026. Then, Charlie is joined by his Atlantic colleague David Frum, a staff writer and the host of The David Frum Show podcast, to discuss the temptations that come with launching a new podcast and the challenge of serving an audience that often rewards extreme content. …

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The Case of Kevin Bacon 37:14

5d ago37:14

37:14

On Christmas Eve, a young man went missing after a date arranged through Grindr, and what followed would shock an entire community. Kevin Bacon, a 26-year-old hair stylist from Michigan, never made it home that night. His disappearance would soon be linked to Mark Latunski, a man hiding a dark and disturbing secret behind the walls of his rural far…

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The Case of Suzette Marie Penton 20:07

7d ago20:07

20:07

On a quiet afternoon in Polk City, Florida, a teenage breakup spiraled into unimaginable violence. What began as a dispute between 17-year-old Hunter Penton and his ex-girlfriend quickly escalated into a brutal attack inside his own home... an assault carried out by multiple teenagers and captured on video. But the violence didn’t end there. As Hun…

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Dhanda delight for Dundee and Fatah rocks Granite City 50:08

11d ago50:08

50:08

Dundee claimed a precious three points against Falkirk courtesy of a Yan Dhanda spot-kick. We discuss a gutsy triumph, the red card dished out to Simon Murray and VAR quashing the dismissal of Brad Spencer. Is Tuesday’s visit of Kilmarnock the biggest game of the Dee’s season? Meanwhile, Dundee United were rock-solid in the Granite City on Saturday…

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2 Hours Of The Worst Dads Ever 2:02:29

10d ago2:02:29

2:02:29

Some of the most devastating crimes are not committed by strangers in dark alleys, but by the very people meant to protect and love us. In this compilation, we examine four separate cases that shook communities to their core, each involving a biological father who betrayed the most fundamental bond of parenthood. Phoebe Jonchuck, Maddox Lawrence, D…

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Are Your Parents Addicted to Their Screens? 58:20

11d ago58:20

58:20

Are your parents addicted to their phone? In this episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel explores how technology is affecting an older generation of adults. Instead of a phone-based childhood, Warzel suggests, we may be witnessing the emergence of a phone-based retirement—one shaped by isolation, algorithmic feeds, and platforms never designed wit…

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Our Most Requested Case Of 2025: Where Is Emmanuel Haro? 28:31

15d ago28:31

28:31

It was a story that gripped Southern California and eventually broke hearts across the nation. In August of 2025, 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro was reported kidnapped from a Yucaipa parking lot during a broad-daylight attack on his mother. The parents, Rebecca and Jake Haro, went on television pleading for their son’s safe return. But behind the scenes…

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Banners and misery in Motherwell and why Luca is no longer welcome in Edinburgh 54:04

19d ago54:04

54:04

It was misery in Motherwell for Dundee. A dispiriting 1-0 defeat at Fir Park continued the Dark Blues’ terrible away record. And fans in the stand made their feelings clear about Nelms, Strachan and Pressley. What does it all mean? Things were happier at Tannadice after a good week – how are Dundee United feeling about their point against Hibs, tho…

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Bonus Episode: Reacting to the Epstein Files’ Release 1:12:51

16d ago1:12:51

1:12:51

Late on the Friday before Christmas—just hours before a deadline mandated by Congress, the Department of Justice released part of the trove of documents known colloquially as the Epstein files. The contents are, at different times, unnerving, enraging, banal, and heavily redacted. At The Atlantic, we’ve been up, poring over the documents to context…

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Prediction Markets and the ‘Suckerifcation’ Crisis With Max Read 54:22

18d ago54:22

54:22

In this episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel explores the burgeoning industry of prediction markets. These platforms let people wager on everything from elections and award shows to the most trivial internet ephemera, framing bets as tradable “shares” that rise and fall like stocks. With billions in weekly trading volume, massive new funding rou…

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The Case of Iryna Zarutska 38:32

19d ago38:32

38:32

On a quiet train ride through North Carolina, surrounded by strangers and moving steadily toward its destination, no one could have imagined that violence was about to unfold in one of the most confined public spaces imaginable. Iryna Zarutska was just another passenger that day... until her life was taken in a brutal and senseless act that would s…

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Inside United’s half-time team talk, venn diagrams and stopping the Motherwell machine 48:51

23d ago48:51

48:51

Zac Sapsford’s stunning goal sealed Dundee United’s first victory over Celtic in 11 years. How did the Tangerines turn it around at half-time? And can they follow up their big win when Hibs come to town on Saturday? Dundee have a big game of their own when they visit high-flying Motherwell. How do they pull off an upset? Sean Hamilton hosts in the …

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The Case of Rori Hache & Kandis Fitzpatrick 31:49

22d ago31:49

31:49

In the quiet lakeside city of Oshawa, Ontario, police believed they were dealing with two separate mysteries: the disappearance of 18-year-old Kandis Fitzpatrick in 2008, and, nearly a decade later, the horrifying discovery of human remains belonging to 18-year-old Rori Hache. What they didn’t yet realize was that both cases pointed to the same pre…

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Dundee’s lead gone with the wind and which United star is licking his lips for Celtic? 53:10

26d ago53:10

53:10

A massive weekend of Premiership football saw a draw for Dundee and a draw for Dundee United. Neither are over the moon but one is certainly more content than the other with just a point. We kick off with Dundee and their windswept 2-2 draw at Livingston – what happened in that second half as the Lions roared back from two down? Could Steven Pressl…

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2+ Hours Of Mom's New Man Being The Worst Monster Ever (The Misery Machine Plus Episode) 2:06:01

24d ago2:06:01

2:06:01

Some of the most devastating crimes don’t come from strangers lurking in the dark, but from the people allowed closest to home. This week's compilation tells the heartbreaking stories of four children whose lives were cut short not by chance, but by trust misplaced. Logan Cline. Tesslyn O’Cull. Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley. Jabraylon Ba…

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How YouTube Ate Podcasts and TV, With Rachel Martin, Ashley Carman, and Derek Thompson 1:03:54

26d ago1:03:54

1:03:54

In this episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel turns the camera on himself to ask a simple question: Why are you seeing his face? Using YouTube’s takeover of podcasts as a starting point, he explores how video has devoured audio and turned podcasts into something closer to daytime TV and late-night talk shows. NPR’s Rachel Martin, host of the cele…

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The Case of Sonia Exelby 27:37

26d ago27:37

27:37

In October of 2025, what began as a transatlantic journey ended in one of the most disturbing and tragic cases Florida authorities have ever encountered. Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old woman from Portsmouth, England, flew into the Sunshine State with an intention that would shock investigators on both sides of the Atlantic, and lead to a grim discover…

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Garza gone for Dundee’s biggest game and unlocking Jekyll and Hyde United 48:24

28d ago48:24

48:24

It’s a massive weekend for Dundee and Dundee United. It’s a battle of the bottom two for the Dee at Livingston – the classic six-pointer. But there are some injury issues to worry about and what’s the deal with Cesar Garza’s exit? Plenty at stake for Dundee United, too, when they welcome Motherwell to Tannadice. Jim Goodwin needs to find a way to g…

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The Case of Dereck Cummings II aka Antwan Miles 18:36

29d ago18:36

18:36

In the nightlife pulse of Orlando, Florida, 29-year-old Dereck Cummings II, better known as Antwan Miles in his community, was building a name for himself. An aspiring rapper, a rising club promoter, and a father of four with another baby on the way, Dereck spent the night of January 29th, 2023 doing what he loved: bringing people together. His fin…

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United’s Paisley pain and Dundee’s Dons downer 43:11

29d ago43:11

43:11

It’s a cheery pod this Monday with two defeats to discuss. First up is Dundee United’s disappointment at St Mirren as their poor run of form continues. What went wrong? And what can they change to put it right? Then there’s Dundee’s 3-1 defeat at home to Aberdeen. Steven Pressley says fans should be proud of the display – are they? Chatting away th…

1
When Chatbots Break Our Minds, With Kashmir Hill 1:01:01

1M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

In this episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel explores the strange, unsettling relationships some people are having with AI chatbots, as well as what happens when those relationships go off the rails. His guest is Kashmir Hill, a technology reporter at The New York Times who has spent the past year documenting what is informally called “AI psycho…

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The Case of the Skara Cannibal 29:03

1M ago29:03

29:03

In the quiet Swedish town of Skara, where life usually moves with the slow rhythm of rural calm, police were called to a scene so gruesome it would scar the country’s collective memory for years to come. It was 2011 when authorities entered a small apartment and discovered a reality that read more like a nightmare than anything imaginable, one of t…

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Dundee make Celtic sweat as United robbed late on by Rangers 52:08

1M ago52:08

52:08

A disciplined and dogged Dundee display at Celtic Park saw Steven Pressley’s side run the Champions close. Was the Dark Blues’ performance an example of the kind of progress their manager has been highlighting in recent weeks? And can they find a way to ensure their efforts are rewarded with all-important points? For United, conceding an equaliser …

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2+ Hours Of The Worst Moms Your Parents Warned You About (The Misery Machine Plus Episode) 2:13:47

1M ago2:13:47

2:13:47

In the world of true crime, some cases don’t just shock us... they shake us to our core. They leave us wondering how anyone could cross a line so sacred, so unthinkable, that it defies every instinct we have as human beings. Today’s video is a deep dive into some of the most disturbing and heartbreaking cases in recent memory... crimes committed no…

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The Case of Wade Wilson 34:41

1M ago34:41

34:41

In the shadowy corners of Southwest Florida, where the sun-soaked streets of Cape Coral give way to quiet neighborhoods, a darkness was quietly taking shape... one that would eventually erupt into a series of crimes so brutal, so senseless, that the entire state would be left stunned. This is the story of Wade Wilson (not Deadpool), a man whose tra…

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Dundee’s dream and United’s reffing nightmare 55:29

1M ago55:29

55:29

A welcome Dundee victory thanks to Steven Pressley’s dream about Joe Westley. Where has this been all season? What did the Dark Blues change and how did it work? Can they keep this up? Plus plenty of ref frustration for Dundee United after their 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock. How did Dave Richards do as Ross Graham and Max Watters return? There’s a big mi…

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America’s Slide Toward Simulated Democracy With Eliot Higgins 58:42

1M ago58:42

58:42

In this episode of “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel sits down with Eliot Higgins, founder of the open-source investigative collective Bellingcat, to examine how our public sphere slid from healthy debate into what Higgins calls “disordered discourse.” Higgins is an early-internet native who taught himself geolocation during the Arab Spring and later …

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Pressley pressure and United’s knife-edge 56:56

1M ago56:56

56:56

It’s a massive weekend of Premiership football. Huge for both our teams. The bottom six all play one another including Dundee at home to St Mirren and United away at Kilmarnock. Can the Dark Blues find a route to goal – and somehow leapfrog the Buddies? And why sacking Steven Pressley would be the wrong move for the Dee. What changes till Jim Goodw…

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The Case of Colleen Stan 31:58

1M ago31:58

31:58

Imagine being 20 years old, carefree, and hitchhiking your way toward a friend’s birthday party... only to have your life stolen in an instant. In 1977, Colleen Stan accepted a ride that would plunge her into one of the most disturbing and prolonged abduction cases in American history. For seven years, she was held captive in ways almost too shocki…

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No goals again for Dundee and no place to hide for Kucherenko at Tannadice 33:15

1M ago33:15

33:15

No goals and no points for Dundee and Dundee United this weekend – an exciting Twa Teams awaits! What is going wrong for Dundee and what can they do to get out of trouble? And what does Jim Goodwin do with Yevhen Kucherenko after his horror show against Falkirk? Also why laying blame solely at the goalie’s feet is not right. This cheerful Monday ed…

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Are Sports the Most Valuable Commodity in the World? With Pablo Torre 50:32

2M ago50:32

50:32

Are sports the most valuable commodity in the world? On this episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel is joined by Pablo Torre, a longtime journalist and the host of the podcast and YouTube show Pablo Torre Finds Out. They talk about the role that sports and rampant sports betting are playing in our politics, culture, and economy. Are same-day parla…

1
The Case of the Hi-Fi Murders 52:41

2M ago52:41

52:41

In the quiet city of Ogden, Utah, the spring of 1974 should have been ordinary, filled with warm evenings, small-town routines, and a sense of safety people trusted without question. But on one April night, that calm was shattered inside a small, unassuming electronics store: the Hi-Fi Shop. What began as a simple robbery spiraled into one of the m…

1
United’s Bairns battle and Dundee’s capital clash 59:56

2M ago59:56

59:56

Move over Scotland heroes, we’re back to local heroes. The Premiership returns this weekend and both sides of the street have crucial league clashes. We start with Dundee United this week and their home game against Falkirk. John McGlynn’s side are two points ahead of the Tangerines in the table – can the Terrors leapfrog the Bairns? And we find ou…

1
The Case of Julia Rawson 24:10

2M ago24:10

24:10

In May of 2019, 42-year-old Julia Rawson left her home for what should have been an ordinary night out. Instead, she crossed paths with two strangers whose fascination with gore, fantasy violence, and dark role-play would spiral into one of the most disturbing murder cases the West Midlands has ever seen. When Julia went missing, her family hoped s…

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Writer Neil Forsyth lifts lid on his run in with United legend Jim McLean. 32:30

2M ago32:30

32:30

Dundee United has been at the heart of a journey which has taken him from Broughty Ferry to Brink’s-Mat and an award-winning television career. Award-winning screenwriter Neil Forsyth joined Courier journalist Graeme Strachan for a special episode of Twa Teams, One Street to chat all things Dundee United. The life long Arab – the man behind Bob Ser…

1
The Internet Is a Misery Machine With Hank Green 56:40

2M ago56:40

56:40

In this inaugural episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel examines the state of the internet as it stands now in November 2025 with Hank Green, a true citizen of the internet—somebody who has made a living riding the algorithmic waves of the social web. Warzel and Green look back on a time when the internet felt small, more serendipitous, and inspi…

1
The Crimes of Jaime Osuna 30:54

2M ago30:54

30:54

In the heart of California’s Central Valley lies Bakersfield, a city known for its oil fields, country music roots, and tight-knit community. But in 2011, it became the backdrop for one of the most disturbing crime stories in recent memory. Jaime Osuna, a heavily tattooed man who relished being called a “real-life monster,” was arrested for the bru…

1
Possession is passé for United and Dundee’s January wishlist 59:13

2M ago59:13

59:13

We look at what to expect on both sides of the street ahead of the January transfer window – as Dundee United are linked with a Kazakh winger. There is fulsome for Luca Stephenson, the player and the person, as he commits to the Terrors for the rest of the season. And what have we learned from the Tangerines’ season so far? Are they better than las…

1
The Crimes of Robert Ben Rhodes 30:28

2M ago30:28

30:28

Robert Ben Rhodes was a man who lived on the road... a trucker who seemed like just another face behind the wheel. But hidden behind that calm exterior was a darkness few could imagine. His truck wasn’t just a vehicle; it was a prison. A place where people’s lives ended in terror. Rhodes’ crimes stretched across years and state lines, leaving behin…

1
Missing Murray and Utd’s nearly show at Tynecastle 38:09

2M ago38:09

38:09

Dismal Dundee defeated at Dens as United almost break Hearts. Plenty to get through on Monday’s Twa Teams, One Street with Courier Sport writers George Cran and Alan Temple joined by the returning Graeme Finnan. Twa Teams, One Street is proud to be supported by SPAR Scotland. PLUS: Twa Teams Special with Neil Forsyth - Only available on The Courier…

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The Devil's Den Murders 30:37

2M ago30:37

30:37

This week, Drewby and Yergy head out to The Ozarks to discuss the murders of 43-year-old Clinton David Brink and his wife, 41-year-old Cristen Amanda Brink. The couple, along with their 7 and 9 year old daughters, were on a hike in Devil's Den State Park when they came across 28-year-old Andrew James McGann, who brandished a knife. Clinton and Cris…

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Magnum Peh 52:43

2M ago52:43

52:43

A massive weekend ahead for Dundee and Dundee United – can either pull off a shock? The Tangerines head to runaway league leaders Hearts aiming to do what no one else has done this season. How do they stop Shankland & Co? And who is United’s Tom Selleck? Dens Park will see Rangers arrive to face Dundee live on the telly – will it be more of the sam…

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Introducing: Galaxy Brain with Charlie Warzel 1:33

2M ago1:33

1:33

The internet has warped public life: Politicians behave like influencers, the economy resembles a casino, and people can no longer agree upon a consensus reality. New conspiracy theories, memes, and main characters seem to pop up every day. A constant war is on for your attention, and it’s easy to feel lost. Each week, Galaxy Brain and its host, Ch…

1
The Case of Patrick Benway 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

🥀 Do you know Patrick Benway? Please reach out to Steele's Funeral Home with any information: (863) 324-1475 This week, Drewby and Yergy head to Florida to discuss the case of Patrick Benway, and 81-year-old mean living in a group home with 3 other roommates. One of those roommates was 18-year-old Moses Ojeda, who had been placed in the facility af…