Best Logan Schwartz Podcasts (2025)

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Introducing: Hoax! with Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan 1:40

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11d ago1:40

1:40

Hi, Very Special Episodes listeners! We're hard at work on the next season of VSE, which lands October 15th. In the meantime, did you know our own Dana Schwartz has a new podcast? Give it a listen! Hoax!: Why do so many people believe things that aren’t true? In an era when claims of “fake news” come as naturally as breathing, and social media allo…

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The Ridiculously Disturbing History of North Korea 48:25

21h ago48:25

48:25

By iHeartPodcasts

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CLASSIC: The Forty Elephants: London’s All-Female Jewel Thieves 42:07

4d ago42:07

42:07

For at least 200 years, part of London’s criminal underground was ruled by a gang of brilliant, all-female jewel thieves. In this week's classic episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the rise and fall of the notorious Forty Elephants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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Disco Balls are Ridiculous, and We Love Them 38:47

6d ago38:47

38:47

Human history is absolutely riddled with ridiculous inventions. Some are cartoonishly specific. Others, like the disco ball, serve no purpose other than amusement -- and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the dazzling (get it?) history of the 'myriad reflector.' See omnystudio.com/listener fo…

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Coworking and Remote Work with Courtney Schwartz 21:29

6d ago21:29

21:29

Remote work is more common than ever and a highly desired flexible benefit in many jobs. However, it doesn’t come without its own set of challenges and downsides. Coworking spaces like Fireworks in Marietta, Georgia, offer a good balance between flexibility and community. Courtney Schwartz from Fireworks shares the benefits and community aspects of…

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The Truth About "Zombies" 50:17

8d ago50:17

50:17

As summer turns and fall begins, Ridiculous History officially enters the most wonderful time of the year. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the legend of a specific kind of 'living dead' -- the zombie. According to the stories, a zombie is a cadaver reanimated through evil magic, and cursed to obey the commands of a powerful bokor (s…

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The Wild West in Palisade, Nevada 34:48

9d ago34:48

34:48

People traveling through the west by train in the 1800s expected shootouts and danger and cowboys. The citizens of Palisade gave it to them. Sources: "Westward Hoax: The Secret History of Palisade, Nevada," Very Special Episodes. Fakes, Frauds & Other Malarkey by Kathryn Lindskoog. "Mark Twain's Nevada Newspaper Hoaxes" Andrew R. Giarrelli. Mark Tw…

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CLASSIC: The Malleus Maleficarum: A Real-life Witch Hunter's Bible 33:46

11d ago33:46

33:46

During Europe's period of witchcraft hysteria, one enterprising (and failed) witch hunter sought to bolster his reputation by creating an authoritative text on the existence, discovery and persecution of witches. While it may seem silly now, the Malleus Maleficarum was a runaway success, with thousands of copies inundating European society even whi…

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How the Kentucky Derby Became a Thing 37:49

13d ago37:49

37:49

We’ve all been there, right? You wake up one day, and you say: “You know what? Forget work! It’s so nice outside. I want to put on a fancy hat, watch a bunch of horses run around in a circle, and gamble. Like they do in Europe.” In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max learn how the volatile, ambitious Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. created a litt…

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The Ridiculous History of the 90s and Low Culture, with Ross Benes 43:54

15d ago43:54

43:54

The 1990s were a time of chaos, aspiration, and, above all, ridiculous things. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome returning guest Ross Benes, the author of 1999, for an in-depth exploration of talk shows, crime, transformative media and pop culture forensics. (Ben here: of course we get to films, video games and Juggalos.) See omnystudio…

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CLASSIC: The Great London Beer Flood of 1814 25:58

18d ago25:58

25:58

In 1814, a poor neighborhood in London fell victim to a strange, tragic and boozy disaster -- this calamity would eventually leave eight people dead. So what exactly happened? How could an entire neighborhood flood with a deadly deluge of beer? Join Ben, Noel and Max for a bizarre bit of boozy history in this week's Classic episode. See omnystudio.…

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The True Story of Pac Man -- and a Ton of Weird Theories 37:56

20d ago37:56

37:56

As one of the most iconic games in all of arcade history, Pac Man is recognized across the planet. But how did it get here -- and why are there so many in-depth fan theories about what it means? Is Pac Man a Sisyphean immortal cursed with endless toil? Is he underwater, stealing errant Pong balls? Is he himself a ghost, or on drugs? In today's epis…

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Freelance Marketing Work with Logan Lewis 24:30

20d ago24:30

24:30

Logan Lewis is the creative mind behind Hammerhead Creations and the Your Morning Drive podcast. Logan shares his journey of building a brand that encompasses his diverse creative pursuits, from podcasting to marketing services for small businesses. Discover how Logan balances his full-time job with his passion projects and the importance of commun…

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The Ridiculous Origin of the the Word "Ridiculous" 38:54

22d ago38:54

38:54

With nearly one thousand episodes out in the world over the years, Ben, Noel and Max realized they've never asked about the origin of the word "ridiculous." In this rollicking, cartoonishly meta episode, the gang learns the history of this specific word -- and why, since before the dawn of recorded history, humans have always been all about a good …

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Ern Malley Poetry 48:16

23d ago48:16

48:16

Two bored poets decide to prank their least favorite snobby magazine editor by submitting intentionally bad poetry to his literary journal and watching with mirth as he and his fellows delight in publishing it. Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m3bytB5ULw https://theconversation.com/the-greatest-poet-who-never-lived-ern-malley-at-80-234905 …

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CLASSIC: Dr. Seuss Wrote His Most Famous Book On A Bet 34:57

25d ago34:57

34:57

What are your favorite children's books? In this Classic episode, Ben and the gang acknowledge Dr. Seuss is one of the most well-known writers on the planet. "Green Eggs and Ham", one of his most successful books, sold over 8 million copies by 2016 -- but would you believe he wrote it based entirely on a bet? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

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The Terrifying Science of Tiny Subs and D-Day, Part Two: The Rise of the Chamber Divers 46:53

27d ago46:53

46:53

As Axis powers swarm across Europe in the lead-up to D-Day, a small group of scientists refuse to leave their lab, throwing a fair amount of modern ethics out the window (or the sub, if you like) as they race to complete vital experiments in hyperbaric chambers -- the results of which may just change the course of the war. Tune in for part two of t…

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The Terrifying Science of Tiny Subs and D-Day, Part One: The Return of Dr. Rachel "Big Spinach" Lance 43:16

29d ago43:16

43:16

Years after their initial conversation with the world's foremost expert on underwater explosions, Ben still sings the praises of Dr. Rachel "Big Spinach" Lance. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max welcome Dr. Lance back to learn more about the phenomenal -- and, frankly, inspiring -- story of a ragtag crew of rogue …

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CLASSIC: Feral Children and the True Story Behind The Jungle Book 29:37

1M ago29:37

29:37

Now, let's be honest. Rudyard Kipling was a cartoonishly problematic guy. Yet his work made a permanent impression on global literature -- and, to a surprising degree, he based a lot of his writing on real-world events. In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel ask: What inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book? Join the guys as they explor…

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Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Colossus of Rhodes 28:37

1M ago28:37

28:37

Imagine you're an ancient traveler, visiting Rhodes for the first time in 280 BCE. As you approach the famed city, a singular object dominates the horizon: a huge statue of the Greek sun god Helios, popularly known as the "Colossus of Rhodes." In the fourth part of this series on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ben, Noel and Max explore how…

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Why Creating a Community Online is Difficult But Worth It 14:32

1M ago14:32

14:32

Digital marketing isn’t just about posting and hoping people see your content. You also need to do the more difficult work of creating an online community and forming mutually beneficial relationships. What does it actually look like to create an online community? That’s what we’re learning together in our brand-new Brighter Web marketing community…

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Unlucky Numbers Across The Globe -- And Why They Are Ridiculous 41:13

1M ago41:13

41:13

Do you have a number you love, or a number you hate? As Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, people have always assigned symbolic meaning to the everpresent existence of math -- and created some frankly ridiculous associations along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Ireland Shakespeare Relics 1:14:18

1M ago1:14:18

1:14:18

Samuel Ireland was an avid collector, the type of man who boasted and tried to make himself look important. His son, William Henry, just wanted to make his dad proud of him. Sources: The Boy Who Would Be Shakespeare, by Doug Stewart Shakespeare and Others by S. Schoenbaum 'The Poet's Hand,' Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker https://www.britannica.com/bio…

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CLASSIC: The Ridiculously Laxative-laden Journey of Lewis and Clark 31:17

1M ago31:17

31:17

In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel reluctantly sing the praises of poop research. You see, folks, before Lewis and Clark set out to explore the western side of the continent, they tried to prepare for every possible contingency — including medical conditions like constipation. Join the guys as they explore how a dangerous laxative didn’t just…

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Moon Rock Heists, Part Two: The Romantic Misadventures of Thad Roberts 40:27

1M ago40:27

40:27

Let's say you're a love-struck NASA intern -- your professional career holds a lot of promise, but your family life back home is in shambles... and you fall in love with a fellow intern. How can you impress your new paramour? Forget flowers, chocolates and all those other silly earth-bound romantic gestures: this is the story of Thad Roberts. From …

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Moon Rock Heists, Part One: Lunatic Heists and Space Law 49:32

1M ago49:32

49:32

Is it legal to own a moon rock? Well... that depends. If it's a piece of the moon that made it to Earth naturally, then all good. If, however, it's a sample retrieved on purpose by NASA's Apollo program, you can get in some serious trouble for trying to snag it. In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore what happens when powerf…

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CLASSIC: The Strange and Spectacularly Disgusting Story of the Great Kentucky Meat Shower 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

On March 3rd, 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky were startled to see what appeared to be chunks and flakes of meat falling from the clear, cloudless sky. The rain, which only lasted a few minutes, captured national attention. People across the country proposed various theories explaining the deluge. In today's Classic episode, the guys belie…

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The Ridiculously Energetic History of Energy Drinks! 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

This episode is brought to you by our favorite cohost: coffee. These days, if you stroll into any convenience store across the planet, you're going to run into a selection of energy drinks -- whether we're talking Red Bull, NOS, Monster, or our favorite pal, the humble cup of joe, one thing's for certain: people love this stuff... even if it's not …

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Data Analytics with Cami Merges 18:46

2M ago18:46

18:46

Data is both helpful and overwhelming for marketers. Let’s have an honest conversation about how to manage your flood of online data and make wiser decisions in your business. We’ll cover some common misconceptions, useful tools, and how to focus on what really matters. Highlights Data coordination involves creating client reports and answering dat…

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Japan is Overrun By Raccoons Entirely Due to a Single Cartoon 40:57

2M ago40:57

40:57

While the legendary Japanese raccoon dog -- or tanuki -- may look like a raccoon, it's a very different beast. However, these days Japan is home to actual raccoons: they're considered an invasive species, wreaking havoc across the country as they destroy temples, consume crops, and threaten indigenous wildlife. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max…

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Balloon Boy 1:09:53

2M ago1:09:53

1:09:53

For a few tense hours in October 2009, the entire world watched as a homemade aircraft purportedly carrying a 6-year-old boy drifted in mid-air on live television. When the balloon landed, there was no boy inside. Sources: Wife Swap Season 5, Episode 1: “Heene/Martell” Wife Swap Season 5, Episode 18: “Heene/Silver” The video that I showed Dana of t…

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CLASSIC: The Bizarre Origin of the Oxford English Dictionary 44:44

2M ago44:44

44:44

With 600,000 words and 3 million quotations, the Oxford English Dictionary is a massive tome. Work began on the dictionary in 1857, but the first edition wasn't published until 1884. Compiling the dictionary was a Herculean task, and James Murray, the editor of the dictionary, put out a call for assistance. This early crowdsourcing strategy worked …

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Hoax! With Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan 47:00

2M ago47:00

47:00

Did you know England's first newspaper was fake? Or that King Arthur is more or less completely made up? The deeper we look into human history, the more we see that civilization is utterly riddled with bizarre hoaxes -- some of which are laughable, and some of which are downright dangerous. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome the legendar…

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Fabergé Eggs Are Ridiculous (And Fascinating) 45:19

2M ago45:19

45:19

Imagine you are beyond wealthy. You no longer dream of the average "rich people" flexes -- you've got all the diamonds, all the mansions, all the ordinary baubles of the elite. How can you distinguish yourself? What can you buy when you can buy literally anything? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the astonishing, ridiculous origin stor…

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The World of Non-Gregorian Calendars: What Day Is It, Really? 39:29

2M ago39:29

39:29

Human civilization is far from perfect. Still, it's pretty cool humanity overall agreed on how to measure time (for now). In today's follow-up to an earlier exploration of the Gregorian calendar, Ben, Noel and Max admire the many alternative, non-Gregorian calendars with their own ancient provenance, all of which exist in the modern day. Or modern …

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The Secrets Behind Planning the First Ever Brighter Web Conference 13:22

2M ago13:22

13:22

Conferences can be fun and helpful, or they can be a massive waste of time and money. Overall, we love going to marketing conferences—enough that we wanted to plan one of our own. If you’re in Atlanta on October 9, 2025, we’d love to have you at the first-ever Brighter Web Conference. Even if you can’t make it, here are some insights on what we lov…

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The Ridiculous Origin of the Modern Calendar 39:30

2M ago39:30

39:30

The calendar is... ridiculous. Since the earliest days of civilization, humanity has tried to measure the passage of time on Earth through any number of systems. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max discover how millennia of trial and error led to the modern Gregorian calendar, which we all still just pretend is a normal thing in the modern day. S…

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Cottingley Fairies 59:42

2M ago59:42

59:42

In 1917, two young cousins returned from the creek behind their house with thrilling news: they had photographed fairies! Their parents were skeptical, but soon the photos of the "Cottingley Fairies" were circulated, eventually finding a champion in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sources: ‘Fairies Photographed: An Epoch-Making Event.’ Strand Magazine, 192…

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CLASSIC: George Carlin Gets Quoted in the Supreme Court: Ridiculous Stand-up Stories with Wayne Federman 26:04

2M ago26:04

26:04

In the second part of this two-part series, special guest Wayne Federman explores the strange, curse-word-riddled stand-up bit that resulted in George Carlin setting a legal precedent with the Supreme Court. Listen in to learn how curse words changed the world and sparked a debate that continues today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform…

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The Ridiculous History of Fantasy Sports, Part Two 35:20

2M ago35:20

35:20

As local fantasy sports initiatives grew into larger, more organized pursuits, technology improved as well. Access to online statistics made it much easier for casual sports fans to enter the realm of fantasy playing -- and also, arguably, made it easier to gamble on sports as well. In the second part of this week's two-part series, Ben, Noel and M…

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The Ridiculous History of Fantasy Sports, Part One 32:24

2M ago32:24

32:24

To outsiders, fantasy sports and fantasy leagues may sound like a bizarre proposition: you get together with a bunch of friends and leverage statistics to predict outcomes in your favorite sports, but it's not... gambling? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the origins of fantasy leagues, and how they grew into a b…

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Introducing: Hoax! 1:40

2M ago1:40

1:40

Hoax! is a new show from Dana Schwartz (Noble Blood) and Lizzie Logan (Vulture, Reductress). Listen to the first episode on August 4th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartMedia

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CLASSIC: The People vs. Lenny Bruce: Ridiculous Stand-up Stories with Wayne Federman 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

Lenny Bruce is a legend in the history of stand-up comedy, and while his use of explicit language thrilled audience members, it didn't win him any friends in law enforcement. In fact, Bruce was arrested multiple times for his use of 'obscenities', sparking a larger, continuing debate about the nature of free speech. Join the guys as they learn more…

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First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part Two, Part Two: Some Folks Didn't Want The Job 27:48

3M ago27:48

27:48

Imagine one of your family members attains the highest political position in American history -- your uncle or sibling becomes the President of the United States! And, as Ben, Noel and Max learn in today's episode: many people were called to play the role of First Lady. Turns out: several people genuinely didn't want the job. See omnystudio.com/lis…

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First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part Two, Part One: James "The Bachelor" Buchanan 33:31

3M ago33:31

33:31

Ben here. I know, I know: it's confusing that we split our First Ladies sequel episode into two separate episodes. The title is literally ridiculous. However, as you'll hear, we delved deep into a bit of Presidential history that touches on so many things -- so many, in fact, that we had to dedicate an entire show to Buchanan and his fascinating Fi…