Side Stories: Vaginal Kung Fu

Talking to Strangers is a book about the impossibility of truly understanding a stranger. By breaking down some of the most famous events in recent human history, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell shows us the strategies we often use when dealing with people we don’t know—and how deeply flawed those strategies are.

In this book, you’ll learn:

• How Hitler fooled so many prominent world leaders
• Why the financial industry failed to stop Bernie Madoff for so long
• What really happened to Sandra Bland

Join Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as they venture into the shadowy psyche of Edmund Kemper, the notorious "Coed Killer," in "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast." With chilling precision, the co-hosts recount his brutal crimes and early displays of malcontent, painting a portrait of a disturbed individual shaped by an abusive childhood and societal missteps. By starting the episode with Kemper's own unnerving words, they construct an atmosphere that is both captivating and cautionary, ensuring listeners are acutely aware of the explicit and haunting journey ahead.

As they weave through Kemper's life—from his contemptuous relationship with his overbearing mother to his cunning double life that fooled even law enforcement—Ash and Alaina offer profound insights into the criminal mind. They dissect institutional failures and naivete that allowed Kemper to exploit the system, examine his impact on forensic psychology, and end with reflections on the precarious balance between normalcy and the hidden darkness within. This gripping episode not only lays bare the extremes of human behavior but sets the stage for future explorations of mystery, beginning with a teaser of the perplexing Dyatlov Pass incident.

Dive into the dark underbelly of South Korea with crime enthusiast Stephanie Soo in Rotten Mango as she unravels the haunting story of Lee Ki-young, a man suspected of being a masked predator lurking in plain sight. Infiltrate the investigation of his chilling double life, beginning with a cold Christmas Day revelation by his unsuspecting girlfriend, which peeled back the layers of deception to expose a potential serial killer's true face.

This gripping episode goes beyond the gruesome to interrogate societal values and the controversial privacy laws that shielded Lee from public scrutiny. Stephanie Soo's narrative explores the deep-seated cultural perceptions and the sinister reality of a handsome charmer turned financial and emotional vampire. Walk through the complex web Lee weaved with loans, lies, and lavish lifestyles—all financed by unfathomable acts—as this tale of crime and psychology discusses the broader implications for personal safety and legal justice in modern society.

What was the secret that kept ancient Greeks and early Christians from fearing death? In The Immortality Key, attorney and scholar Brian Muraresku argues that the origins of Christianity are rooted in the psychedelic rituals of ancient Greek life and that these rituals allowed people to embrace their mortality.

Presenting a decade’s worth of research and evidence, Muraresku delves into the origins of Christianity, its overlap with pre-existing pagan customs, and its eventual diversion. Along the way, he asks how we might glean some wisdom from those ancient traditions to reconsider the place of psychedelics in the modern world—can a transcendent experience provide a key to our immortality?

In this guide, we’ll discuss the evidence and arguments Muraresku presents about Christianity and its connection to Greek paganism, as well as his questions about what psychedelics have to offer humanity. We’ll also explore current research and varied viewpoints regarding the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.

In a captivating episode of "Rotten Mango," Stephanie Soo and her co-host SJ peel back the veneer of a trusted Korean pharmacist turned YouTube personality to reveal a shocking scandal. They delve into the gripping saga of a seemingly wholesome figure who abused his influence and expertise to exploit fans, leading to a healthcare nightmare and a wider conversation on ethics and consent. As the hosts unpack the intricate web of cultural beliefs, personal aspirations, and the deceptive dual life of this public persona, listeners are invited into a cautionary tale of manipulation, power, and the fall from grace.

The public's reaction ranged from victim-blaming to disbelief as Stephanie and SJ dissect the complex legal outcomes and societal responses that followed the disturbing revelations. Through heart-wrenching testimonies from women like Alice and Jennie, "Rotten Mango" exposes the vulnerabilities of admirers ensnared by a deceitful image—and the need for reform in how the medical community handles misconduct. This episode not only lays bare the disturbing realities behind a scandal, but also sparks a vital discussion on medical professionalism, the stigma of sexually transmitted diseases, and advocating for the imperatives of awareness and strong support for victims.

In this offbeat installment of "Last Podcast On The Left," hosts Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, and Marcus Parks delve into the dark and often bizarre world of true crime. From the mystery behind the Melbourne Mushroom Murders to the tale of a Canadian police station with its very own bar, this "Relaxed Fit" episode offers a plethora of riveting stories wrapped in the show's signature mix of irreverent humor and insightful commentary.

As usual, the trio balances the grim with the light, sharing personal anecdotes about self-care and retrospection on quirky kitchen gadgets from yesteryears. Listen to the chemistry of Zebrowski, Kissel, and Parks as they tackle everything from celebrity scandals to philosophical musings on mortality and fidelity. This episode is not just a true crime digest; it's an examination of societal quirks, an homage to comedy, and an exploration of life behind bars, all while maintaining a deep appreciation for their listeners' unwavering support.

Author Tim Ferriss has spent years studying how to improve the human body—he interviewed and trained with experts, studied scientific literature, and tried out what he learned on himself. In The 4-Hour Body, he distills the most effective 2.5% of what he discovered into programs you can use to improve six aspects of your body: losing fat and gaining muscle, enhancing sex, improving sleep, managing injuries, improving sports performance, and living longer.

In his bestselling book The Sports Gene, David Epstein uses science to support the claim that our genes play a determining role in our success in sports. He opens by refuting the idea that enough practice is a virtual guarantee of success. He then spends the rest of the book citing research on genes and performance, taking the reader around the world and over evolutionary time, all to explain why the book’s title is an impossibility. There is no single “sports gene,” just as there is no “perfect athlete.” There are, however, fortuitous pairings of the right genes and the right circumstances in the right sports that together create the remarkable and diverse feats of athleticism that we see on the elite stage.

Our guide reorganizes the wealth of content in The Sports Gene by theme to help clarify Epstein’s major arguments. To provide more grounding, our commentary includes supplemental research as well as explanations of scientific concepts in the fields of genetics and evolution.

In "The Mel Robbins Podcast," Mel Robbins joins forces with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon to dismantle traditional notions of health and weight loss, advocating for a groundbreaking muscle-centered philosophy. Dr. Lyon illuminates the significance of muscle mass to our overall health and longevity, emphasizing the deleterious effects of yoyo dieting on our muscular strength. Together, they underline the underestimated power of strength training and muscle care, stepping beyond superficial aesthetics to embrace a more sustainable approach to wellness.

As they delve into the protein-centric diet and optimal daily protein intake, Robbins and Lyon provide actionable insights on nutrition that transcend the usual dietary clichés. They deliver practical tips for muscle maintenance that can be integrated into daily life, aiming for holistic health. The duo also confronts the psychological challenges of dieting, advocating for an empowered mindset that values muscle gain over simply shedding pounds. They champion informed decision-making in health practices, setting the stage for an ongoing conversation that continues to challenge and reshape our understanding of fitness and nutrition.