Best Snobs And A Critic Podcasts (2025)

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2002: Minority Report 41:32

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2M ago41:32

41:32

We close out season three with Steven Spielberg’s dystopian thriller Minority Report, starring Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton and Max von Sydow. Plus: the seeming immortality of Tom Cruise, Sam’s first feature, and yet another award nomination – but this time, it’s not for Sam. LINKS: Trailer for Minority Report Will Ferrell takes one i…

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2001: Mulholland Dr 42:58

2M ago42:58

42:58

This week we take a slow, spiraling ride down Mulholland Dr, David Lynch’s puzzle-box fever dream starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux. Plus: Transcendental Meditation, Adolescence, and the time James was up against Angelo Badalamenti for a film-scoring job. LINKS: Trailer for Mulhallond Dr Bob climbs over the sofa in Twin Peaks …

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2000: American Psycho 39:55

2M ago39:55

39:55

This week we slash our way through Mary Harron’s satirical horror-thriller American Psycho, starring Christian Bale, Chloe Sevigny, and Willem Dafoe. Plus: The Picard Maneuver! And Sam gets stalked by his auto mechanic. LINKS: Trailer for American Psycho The Picard Manoeuver Tom Cruise as inspiration for Patrick Bateman Support the show…

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1999: The Wind Will Carry Us 45:17

2M ago45:17

45:17

This week we explore Abbas Kiarostami’s meditative drama The Wind Will Carry Us, starring Behzad Dorani. Plus: Iranian hospitality, Marjie’s Broadway debut, and the movie that led to Sam and James meeting each other. LINKS: Trailer for The Wind Will Carry Us Trailer for Joe Gould's Secret Nick Cave on cold-water swimming Support the show…

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1998: Buffalo '66 & The Celebration 54:22

2M ago54:22

54:22

A double-bill! Vincent Gallo’s Buffalo ‘66, starring Gallo and Christina Ricci; and Thomas Vinterberg’s Festen, or The Celebration, starring Ulrich Thomsen, Paprika Steen and Thomas Bo Larsen. One of them became an instant classic for James. Plus: Dogme 95 and the “vow of chastity.” LINKS: Trailer for Buffalo '66 Trailer (a terrible and misleading …

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1997: Boogie Nights 39:29

2M ago39:29

39:29

This week we get into Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 kaleidoscopic end-of-an-era drama Boogie Nights, starring Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, and Burt Reynolds. Plus: James’s psilocybin adventure! LINKS: Trailer for Boogie Nights Ben Affleck on teaching miners to be astronauts The final scene of Big Night Support the show…

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1996: Lone Star 38:18

2M ago38:18

38:18

This week we explore John Sayles’s 1996 bordertown drama Lone Star, starring Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, and Kris Kristofferson. Plus: Sam goes to the Emmys! LINKS: Trailer for Lone Star A Scene from Taste of Cherry Doogh Support the show

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1995: Safe 40:59

2M ago40:59

40:59

This week we explore Todd Haynes’s prescient 1995 environmental-illness drama Safe, starring Julianne Moore. Plus: Emmy nominations, James’s upcoming psilocybin journey, and how bad Sam is at running. LINKS: Trailer for Safe Kripalu Sam's Emmy nominations Support the show

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1994: Shallow Grave 41:36

2M ago41:36

41:36

This week we dig up Danny Boyle’s suitcase-full-of-cash thriller Shallow Grave, starring Ewan McGregor, Kerry Fox, and Christopher Eccleston. Plus: Ripley, the frustrations of tourism, and the European Cup. LINKS: Trailer for Shallow Grave Trailer for Ripley Trailer for Cry Funny Happy Deadline.com announcement of Sam’s football project Support the…

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1993: Carlito's Way 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

We kick off Season Three of the podcast with Brian De Palma’s crime drama Carlito’s Way, starring Al Pacino, Penelope Ann Miller, and Sean Penn. Plus: offensive accents, an update on Sam’s car, and the time we almost paid someone $10,000 to read a script. LINKS: Trailer for Carlito's Way The Globe and Shakespeare’s “anti-literalism” Trailer for Bon…

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Introducing: How to Date 10:04

8M ago10:04

10:04

Looking for love or navigating the modern dating world? We've got just the thing! How to Date is your ultimate guide to the highs, lows, and everything in between of modern romance. Hosted by broadcaster and author Elizabeth Day and relationship expert Mel Schilling, this podcast masterclass dives deep into the complexities of finding connection in…

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The War on Christmas, Krampus, and the Underwear Bomber 1:07:04

10M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

It's the HDI 2024 Holiday Extravaganza! Kevin discusses the outrage some have over people saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Greg educates us on the history of Krampus. And John talks about the Underwear Bomber. Spike your eggnog, get cozy, and celebrate the season with your three favorite knuckleheads.…

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Robert Hanssen, Movie Remakes, and Minimum Wage 1:04:23

11M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

In this episode of HDI, Greg discusses the FBI man turned Russian spy, Robert Hanssen, Kevin wonders why Hollywood continues to remake movies despite their lack of success, and John discusses minimum wage, and how it's not a livable wage in the slightest sense.By Kevin Rosenquist

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Gratitude, OnlyFans, and Critics 1:13:20

12M ago1:13:20

1:13:20

In this episode the crew discusses gratitude, how OnlyFans is dominating the porn industry, and we debate whether there is still a place for professional critics in today's society.By Kevin Rosenquist

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Do you have a critical inner voice? Plus forgotten actors enjoying a renaissance and your questions answered - SHRINK THE INBOX 51:18

1y ago51:18

51:18

For the last episode of this season, team STB gets real with those pesky inner monologues (as promised in the Carrie: Sex and the City episode). Plus, what's the connection between 80s comedy-thriller Lovejoy and The Matrix? We explore actors who have come back from obscurity with aplomb. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, wha…

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CARRIE BRADSHAW – How to fight the patriarchy and stop obsessing over relationships – SHRINK THE BOX 51:57

1y ago51:57

51:57

In our final character episode of this season, we put Carrie from Sex and the City on the couch. Nemone looks at why Sex and the City hasn’t aged well, and Ben talks about diversity in the privileged, white world of the show. We get into Carrie’s shopping habit, low self-esteem, and why everyone in the show is SO obsessed with relationships, even t…

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JACKSON LAMB in SLOW HORSES: Do spies make the best therapists? – SHRINK THE BOX 49:55

1y ago49:55

49:55

Ben and Nemone put Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses on the couch. Gary Oldman’s version of Mick Herron’s character has become household name, and you can see why. A man with many layers, a million secrets, and a lightning rod for other’s emotions – perhaps he is the perfect Freudian analyst. Nemone gives us a crash course in transference and counter-t…

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CAPTAIN HOLT of BROOKLYN 99: Neurodiverse, gay and battling racism – SHRINK THE BOX 47:52

1y ago47:52

47:52

Ben and Nemone put Raymond Holt on the couch. We look at how this trailblazing policeman (the first black, gay police captain in the force) stands out from the rest of the precinct. We learn how family dynamics inform behaviour and what it takes to be a great leader. Nemone looks at a diagnosis of ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome for the captain, and Ben…

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Go $@%! Yourself, Good Habits, and a Terrifying Bromance 1:46:25

1y ago1:46:25

1:46:25

In this episode, Greg wonders what circumstances warrant telling someone to go F themselves. John discusses how good habits can be developed, how to break bad ones, and why Kevin should make his bed every day. And Kevin expresses his concerns about the budding bromance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump.…

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SCHITT’S CREEK and Moira Rose: this is narcissism – SHRINK THE BOX 50:09

1y ago50:09

50:09

Ben and Nemone put Moira Rose on the couch and take a deep dive into her narcissistic tendencies, and what effect that has on the rest of the Schitts. Nemone explains how narcissism is not as easy to spot as its widespread use would have you believe. We also discuss the collection of wigs that Moira keeps in her closet and why they are transitional…

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Explaining addicts' behaviour, ‘trapped’ dramas (Handmaid’s Tale) and your questions - SHRINK THE INBOX 50:37

1y ago50:37

50:37

If characters in ‘trapped’ dramas escape, is that the end of the show? Ben and Nemone explore The Handmaid’s Tale and Severance as examples. Plus, Ben reacts to a listener’s ‘constructive’ feedback and Nemone explores Polyvagal Theory to explain why we might react in the way we do from childhood trauma. We want to hear about any theories we might h…

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THE WIRE’S Bubbles: How do you help an addict? – SHRINK THE BOX 52:05

1y ago52:05

52:05

Ben and Nemone discuss The Wire’s ‘Bubbles’ aka Reginald Collins. An informant and heroin user, a man with a fragile support network who finds himself stranded while trying to forge closer bonds with those around him. Nemone tells Ben how unconditional love is the hardest thing to give an addict, and the key to helping them start their journey to s…

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PEAKY BLINDERS’ Polly Shelby: the silent observer in all of us – SHRINK THE BOX 49:26

1y ago49:26

49:26

Ben and Nemone discuss Helen McCrory’s iconic Poly Shelby from Peaky Blinders. She’s a devout Catholic, but up to her neck in the murky world of bootlegging and murder. Nemone gets into the thorny question of how she might match those up, and reveals how each of us has a ‘silent observer’ inside. We also dive into the history of women’s rights in 1…

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ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’S “Taystee”: Adoption, Child States and Attachment Theory – SHRINK THE BOX 49:23

1y ago49:23

49:23

Ben and Nemone discuss Tasha Jefferson, aka Taystee, from Orange is the New Black. We get fascinating insights into child states and how difficult they are to escape; attachment theory and why prison can be a better alternative to living in the outside world. Expect to laugh and cry while reliving one of the early bingeable series on Netflix. And i…

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Louisiana's Commandment, The Pros and Cons of Splitting the Atom, and Procrastination | Comedy Podcast 1:30:53

1y ago1:30:53

1:30:53

The boys are back! In this episode, Kevin talks about Louisiana forcing public schools to display the ten commandments in every classroom, as well as Oklahoma forcing public schools to teach the Bible as part of its curriculum. John talks about the pros and cons of splitting the atom - nuclear war is bad but medical advances are good. And Greg, who…

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REESE WITHERSPOON and JENNIFER ANISTON’s Alex and Bradley tackle sexism and false selves on The Morning Show - SHRINK THE BOX 48:15

1y ago48:15

48:15

Ben and Nemone put Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s The Morning Show characters, Alex and Bradley, on the couch. We ask how a person creates a false self at work, what makes Bradley break the mould and find out how Alex could ever have respect for her male boss in the middle of a #MeToo scandal. Stay tuned for more on false selves in our up…

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Addiction in “Euphoria”, Analysis vs. Therapy and Sir Salman Rushdie! - SHRINK THE INBOX 44:07

1y ago44:07

44:07

Ben and Nemone answer your questions and explore your suggestions. They talk about whether they have any friends who are spies and explore some brilliant female led comedies you've either missed or forgotten. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop t…

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TYRION LANNISTER knows how to play the Game...of Thrones SHRINK THE BOX 45:59

1y ago45:59

45:59

Ben and Nemone put Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones on the couch. Tyrion doesn’t conform to society’s norms. How does he use that to his advantage? He’s booksmart, cunning and the most open-minded man in Westeros. This ‘half-man’ is, in fact, three times as impressive as any of his peers. We look into difference, diversity and skulduggery in t…

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1992: Scent of a Woman 46:43

1+ y ago46:43

46:43

We close out Season Two of the podcast with Martin Brest’s drama Scent of a Woman, starring Al Pacino and Chris O’Donnell. Plus: Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, and an encounter with a rude traffic warden. LINKS: Trailer for Scent of a Woman Trailer for The Holdovers Trailer for People I Know Support the show…

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1991: The Silence of the Lambs 39:11

1+ y ago39:11

39:11

This week week we’re taking a bite out of Jonathan Demme’s classic serial-killer thriller The Silence of the Lambs, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. Plus: James comes out of film-scoring retirement. LINKS: Trailer for The Silence of the Lambs "Lotion" by Greenskeepers Austin Pendleton as a lawyer in My Cousin Vinny Support the show…

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1990: An Angel at My Table 39:48

1+ y ago39:48

39:48

This week we discuss the journey of author Janet Frame in Jane Campion’s biographical drama An Angel at My Table, starring Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson, and Kerry Fox. Plus: Season Two of The Jinx, and the time Stanley Tucci took James to a Yankees game. LINKS: Trailer for An Angel at My Table Trailer for season two of The Jinx Dr McCoy treats a p…

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1989: Do the Right Thing 40:20

1+ y ago40:20

40:20

This week we explore Spike Lee’s comedy-drama Do the Right Thing, starring Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro and Rosie Perez. Plus: James eats a $35 salad, Don Mischer’s “Go balloons”, and 1990 as the year of sequels. LINKS: Trailer for Do the Right Thing Trailer for Thea Sharrock's Wicked Little Letters Don Mischer at the 2004 Democratic Nati…

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1988: Dangerous Liaisons 42:53

1+ y ago42:53

42:53

This week we discuss Stephen Frears’s film-adapted-from-a-play-adapted-from-a-novel Dangerous Liaisons, starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Plus: James finally visits the Vanguard! LINKS: Trailer for Dangerous Liaisons Malkovich and Sinise in True West John Candy in Uncle Buck: "unbreakable" Support the show…

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1987: Fatal Attraction 40:20

1+ y ago40:20

40:20

This week we take a stab at Adrian Lyne’s classic romantic thriller Fatal Attraction, starring Glenn Close and Michael Douglas. Plus: the two faces of Harrison Ford, and James’s habit of talking to the television. LINKS: Trailer for Fatal Attraction The original ending of Fatal Attraction Trailer for Running on Empty Support the show…

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1986: Sid & Nancy and Round Midnight 40:22

1+ y ago40:22

40:22

It’s a double-feature this week as we riff on two movies about musicians: Bertrand Tavernier’s Round Midnight and Alex Cox’s Sid and Nancy. Plus: burned-out cars, slow television, and the unhelpful advice Robert Redford used to get. LINKS: Trailer for Sid & Nancy Trailer for Round Midnight Siskel & Ebert on Round Midnight "Slow Television": the tra…

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1985: Ran 42:09

1+ y ago42:09

42:09

This week we survey the expanses of Ran, Akira Kurosawa’s epic adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Plus: beds in cinemas, Werner Herzog on psychotherapy, and Sam’s aversion to movies set on ships. LINKS: Trailer for Ran "VIP Beds" in UK cinemas How an 18th-Century Sailing Warship Works Werner Herzog on psychology as a “catastrophe” Support the s…

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1984: Blood Simple 40:47

1+ y ago40:47

40:47

This week we tackle the Coen Brothers’ gritty debut feature, Blood Simple, starring Frances McDormand, John Getz, and M. Emmet Walsh. Plus: Wayne Shorter, rock climbing, and our experiences with first-time directors. LINKS: Trailer for Blood Simple Trailer for Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity Let's go to court: a scene from The Insider Support the show…

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1983: Eureka 39:34

1+ y ago39:34

39:34

This week we discuss Nicolas Roeg’s period drama Eureka, starring Gene Hackman, Theresa Russell, and Rutger Hauer. Plus: Wynton Marsalis, washroom attendants, and James's recent trip to London. LINKS: Trailer for Eureka Wynton Marsalis does Louis Armstrong The Wolseley Climax of The Natural (Randy Newman) Support the show…

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SYDNEY from THE BEAR: when will she reach her boiling point? SHRINK THE BOX 49:38

1+ y ago49:38

49:38

Ben and Nemone put sous-chef Sydney Adamu from The Bear into therapy. She helps whip the team at the restaurant into shape, she’s nurturing but anxious and riddled with self-doubt, not to mention a person of colour with the highest of ambitions in a profession dominated by white men. Mouthwatering, no? We want to hear about any theories we might ha…

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CHANDLER BING: could it BE any more complicated? SHRINK THE BOX 50:06

1+ y ago50:06

50:06

Ben and Nemone put Chandler from Friends on the famous Central Perk couch to talk about his phobia of commitment, his attachment patterns and how he feels about mum AND dad putting on a black dress and trying to seduce one of your best friends. Expect doses of sarcasm, celebrity cameos and Janice’s laughter peppered throughout. We want to hear abou…

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MICHAEL SCOTT invites you into The Office: SHRINK THE BOX 48:27

1+ y ago48:27

48:27

Ben and Nemone stroll into The Office (USA). They consider the differences between Michael Scott and David Brent, explore ego and ask why some people think they’re funny (when they’re just not). We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an ema…

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SHRINK THE INBOX 35:23

1+ y ago35:23

35:23

Ben and Nemone answer your questions and explore your suggestions. They talk about whether they have any friends who are spies and explore some brilliant female led comedies you've either missed or forgotten. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop t…

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LARRY DAVID: Curb star who falls out with everyone in SHRINK THE BOX 49:21

1+ y ago49:21

49:21

He’s grumpy, belligerent, stubborn, filterless and has to win every single argument. We ask how Larry David has any friends left and why he is so concerned with manners, yet is rude to virtually everyone he meets. Plus, Ben and Nemone look at why some people find Curb Your Enthusiasm excruciating whilst others just can’t get enough of the hit show.…

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TOMMY SHELBY: We Peek Behind the Blinders in SHRINK THE BOX 51:13

1+ y ago51:13

51:13

Gang dynamics, whether you can escape a criminal heritage and the physiological cause and effect of PTSD. Plus, race rigging, opium smoking and casual violence - all in a day's work for The Peaky Blinders. Here’s the article Ben mentioned by his sister Zadie Smith: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1399593/My-father-the-accidental-hero.html W…

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CERSEI LANNISTER’s Power Behind the Throne: SHRINK THE BOX 47:39

1+ y ago47:39

47:39

As Cersei says: ‘power is power’ and she’s got it in spades. We investigate how she becomes a master manipulator, and we take an honest objective look at her over-familiar relations with her brother Jaime. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the …

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FRASIER CRANE: Inside the mind of the Seattle psychiatrist on this week’s SHRINK THE BOX 51:01

1+ y ago51:01

51:01

Where does Frasier’s snobbery originate from? Why does he revert to his ‘child state’ when around his father? And... the hidden story behind Frasier being a Freudian analyst and Niles (his brother) being a Jungian analyst. Plus, Ben and Nemone’s minds are blown when they realise a crazy coincidence with Frasier and Tony Soprano. We want to hear fro…

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Introducing...Shrink The Box Series 2 1:12

1+ y ago1:12

1:12

Ever wondered why Frasier Crane is such a snob? How Tyrion Lannister’s bawdy humour saves him in Game of Thrones? What makes Schitts Creek’s Moira Rose a narcissist? ‘Shrink the Box’ is where actor comedian Ben Bailey Smith and psychotherapist Nemone Metaxas put their favourite fictional characters such Tommy from Peaky Blinders and Sydney from The…

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Rocket Man's Dark Side: Wernher von Braun | History Defeats Itself Comedy Podcast 56:52

1+ y ago56:52

56:52

Today we're talking about Wernher von Braun, a Nazi who was recruited by NASA after World War 2 to help develop the space program. https://linktr.ee/historydefeatsitselfBy Kevin Rosenquist

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Poyais Hoax: History's Ultimate Land Scam | History Defeats Itself Comedy Podcast 51:32

1+ y ago51:32

51:32

Dive into the captivating story of the Poyais Scheme, the ultimate historical scam by Gregor MacGregor, who sold dreams of a nonexistent paradise to hundreds. Explore how this 19th-century con artist created Poyais, duping settlers and investors alike, and the stark reality that awaited them. From MacGregor's early exploits to the scheme's fallout …

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The Snobbery of Being a Music Snob | History Defeats Itself Comedy Podcast 1:10:23

1+ y ago1:10:23

1:10:23

Have you or someone you know been affected by music snobbery? Have you fallen victim to ridicule from elitists who think their supposed deeper understanding of music makes you look inferior? You've come to the right place. Because Greg is talking about being a music snob. Kevin is on the same page. John thinks they're just dicks. https://linktr.ee/…