Jonestown | STUFF THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Shooting selfies on vacation. Posting Facebook updates on our kid's graduation from pre-school. Garnering awards and promotions to add to our LinkedIn profiles. Guess what, America? We've become self-obsessed. In David Brooks’s The Road to Character, the New York Times columnist suggests we take a good hard look at ourselves and remember that we weren't always so narcissistic.

Brooks outlines the moral shift that took place after World War II when we transitioned from honoring humility, self-discipline, and public service to worshiping at the altar of "the Big Me." He also reminds us that our current self-focus isn't even making us happy. To help us recalibrate our moral compasses, Brooks details the lives of war heroes, civil rights activists, advocates for the poor, writers, and deep thinkers who've tackled the work of building moral character, then outlines a 15-point plan to help us live more virtuous—and ultimately happier—lives.

Jimmy Carter isn’t remembered as a great president, but he’s come to be revered for his work as a humanitarian. However, in His Very Best, biographer Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on the groundbreaking work Carter did in Washington. Instead of focusing on the hardships America suffered during Carter’s time in office, Alter draws attention to the long-term effects of what Carter accomplished while president. Alter paints Carter as deeply principled yet politically short-sighted in a way that let him achieve great things while undermining his legacy.

In this guide, we’ll show how Carter’s early life shaped his political career and his journey to the presidency. We’ll look at the various roles he’s played—politician, reformer, diplomat, and global humanitarian. We’ll also explore the political context that shaped Carter’s years in the White House, as well as the conflict between Carter’s values and the compromises required of anyone in high office.

Published in 1965, The Autobiography of Malcolm X chronicles how Malcolm X rose from a life of poverty and crime to become a significant leader of the civil rights movement. Malcolm X was a controversial figure—his views were often considered extreme and changed radically throughout his life. In telling his story (with the help of writer Alex Haley), Malcolm X explains why he believed what he believed—and why he fought for racial justice, even though he knew it would lead to his death.

This guide discusses the impact that early experiences of racism, pro-Black radical traditions, and Islam had on Malcolm X as well as his achievements as a civil rights activist. We’ll go into the historical and sociological context surrounding Malcolm X’s life and explore the civil rights movement (and Malcolm X’s relationship to other activists, like Martin Luther King Jr.) in more depth. We’ll also connect historical and present-day racism, and we’ll provide an update on the circumstances leading up to Malcolm X’s murder and his legacy.

In The God Delusion, University of Oxford biologist and anti-religion activist Richard Dawkins seeks to demystify religion and discredit faith. He explores the unlikelihood of God’s existence; how evolution by natural selection explains the centrality of religion to the human experience; and how religion promotes immoral values, impoverishes the human mind, and provides justification for intolerance and persecution. He argues that ultimately, we as humans must free ourselves from our self-imposed shackles by destroying faith and religion and positively embracing the full potential of our species.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis examines the spiritual and social decline of the Appalachian white working class through the life story of its author, JD Vance. Growing up in a post-industrial Ohio town, Vance encountered the symptoms of community and familial dysfunction—drug and alcohol abuse, unstable marriages, lack of education, and evasion of hard work—that underscore the failing values of the culture from which he came.

Although Vance eventually escapes the poverty and dysfunction of his roots, attending college and Yale Law School, he finds that even economic mobility can never permanently erase the social markers of his hillbilly upbringing.

Immerse yourself in the chilling realm of the JMS Church as Stephanie Soo peels back the layers of the cult-like organization in her riveting Rotten Mango podcast episode. Delving into the twisted machinations of Pastor Jung Myung-seok, Stephanie lays bare his heinous exploitation of faith to manipulate and control, unveiling his tactics that led countless followers astray. From his strategic reinterpretation of biblical narratives to the unmasking of his purported divine powers—as miracle-worker and political oracle—she takes us on a journey through Jung's ascent from a poverty-stricken child to the enigmatic and despotic leader of a church with a dark and destructive underbelly.

Stephanie’s episode is more than a historical recount; it's an emotional exploration of the deep personal trauma faced by those ensnared by Jung's predatory practices. With sensitivity and rigor, the podcast shares survivors’ harrowing experiences, including the exploitative traps set for unsuspecting women under the guise of religious ritual. Also spotlighted is the relentless pursuit of justice by the activist group Exodus, amidst the Church's persistent influence and Jung's baffling legal escapades. This deep dive does not shy away from the controversies, including the challenges in eradicating the church's impact and the public crusades that aimed to shed light on the dark corners of JMS. Through Stephanie's compelling narrative, the need for awareness and continued vigilance against such harmful ideologies is hammered home, making for a podcast episode that's as educational as it is gripping.

Published in 1965, The Autobiography of Malcolm X chronicles how Malcolm X rose from a life of poverty and crime to become a significant leader of the civil rights movement. Malcolm X was a controversial figure—his views were often considered extreme and changed radically throughout his life. In telling his story (with the help of writer Alex Haley), Malcolm X explains why he believed what he believed—and why he fought for racial justice, even though he knew it would lead to his death.

This guide discusses the impact that early experiences of racism, pro-Black radical traditions, and Islam had on Malcolm X as well as his achievements as a civil rights activist. We’ll go into the historical and sociological context surrounding Malcolm X’s life and explore the civil rights movement (and Malcolm X’s relationship to other activists, like Martin Luther King Jr.) in more depth. We’ll also connect historical and present-day racism, and we’ll provide an update on the circumstances leading up to Malcolm X’s murder and his legacy.

Immerse yourself in the chilling realm of the JMS Church as Stephanie Soo peels back the layers of the cult-like organization in her riveting Rotten Mango podcast episode. Delving into the twisted machinations of Pastor Jung Myung-seok, Stephanie lays bare his heinous exploitation of faith to manipulate and control, unveiling his tactics that led countless followers astray. From his strategic reinterpretation of biblical narratives to the unmasking of his purported divine powers—as miracle-worker and political oracle—she takes us on a journey through Jung's ascent from a poverty-stricken child to the enigmatic and despotic leader of a church with a dark and destructive underbelly.

Stephanie’s episode is more than a historical recount; it's an emotional exploration of the deep personal trauma faced by those ensnared by Jung's predatory practices. With sensitivity and rigor, the podcast shares survivors’ harrowing experiences, including the exploitative traps set for unsuspecting women under the guise of religious ritual. Also spotlighted is the relentless pursuit of justice by the activist group Exodus, amidst the Church's persistent influence and Jung's baffling legal escapades. This deep dive does not shy away from the controversies, including the challenges in eradicating the church's impact and the public crusades that aimed to shed light on the dark corners of JMS. Through Stephanie's compelling narrative, the need for awareness and continued vigilance against such harmful ideologies is hammered home, making for a podcast episode that's as educational as it is gripping.

Dive into the dark origins of one of history's most notorious criminals in "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast," with episode 7 captivatingly presented by hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart. Venture into the twisted early years of Charles Manson as the hosts meticulously dissect his childhood of neglect, a questionable exchange involving the young Manson, and the reform schools that chiseled his budding delinquency into estranged and emotional wreckage. These formative experiences are laid bare, along with the speculative musings on what might have been had Manson's musical dreams been realized.

The episode then spirals into the intricate development of the infamous Manson Family, from the initial enchantment of Mary Bruner to the integration of notorious figures like 'Squeaky' Fromme. Alongside an exploration of Manson's magnetic yet malign influence within the 1960s counter-culture scene, the hosts untangle Manson's celebrity interactions and the bitter remnants of his unachieved musical career. And as the concept of "Helter Skelter" takes center stage, Ash and Alaina delve into the manipulative masterstrokes of Manson during drug-laced sessions, setting up the framework for deeper dives in future episodes, while also teasing a potential expansion into supernatural storytelling to broaden the chilling reach of "Morbid."

Immerse yourself into the intriguing yet chilling world of 'Last Podcast On The Left' as Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ed Larson meticulously dissect one of the most scandalous murder cases of American history. This episode delves into the dramatic and harrowing saga of Jeffrey MacDonald, a former army surgeon convicted of brutally murdering his pregnant wife and their two daughters. With an emphasis on MacDonald’s complex personality, startling family dynamics, and the controversial investigation that initially overlooked significant pieces of evidence, this deep-dive podcast episode will leave you questioning the very fabric of criminal justice.

Not only does this episode focus on the intricacies of the MacDonald case, but it also sheds light on various personal anecdotes from the hosts in an attempt to alleviate the intense atmosphere. Despite the severity of the subject matter, hosts Parks, Zebrowski, and Larson skillfully inject light-hearted banter and unrelated discussions that lend moments of relief amidst the detailed exploration into macabre facts and events. Tune into 'Last Podcast On The Left' and get ready to question everything you thought you knew about the Jeffrey MacDonald case.

Immerse yourself in the chilling realm of the JMS Church as Stephanie Soo peels back the layers of the cult-like organization in her riveting Rotten Mango podcast episode. Delving into the twisted machinations of Pastor Jung Myung-seok, Stephanie lays bare his heinous exploitation of faith to manipulate and control, unveiling his tactics that led countless followers astray. From his strategic reinterpretation of biblical narratives to the unmasking of his purported divine powers—as miracle-worker and political oracle—she takes us on a journey through Jung's ascent from a poverty-stricken child to the enigmatic and despotic leader of a church with a dark and destructive underbelly.

Stephanie’s episode is more than a historical recount; it's an emotional exploration of the deep personal trauma faced by those ensnared by Jung's predatory practices. With sensitivity and rigor, the podcast shares survivors’ harrowing experiences, including the exploitative traps set for unsuspecting women under the guise of religious ritual. Also spotlighted is the relentless pursuit of justice by the activist group Exodus, amidst the Church's persistent influence and Jung's baffling legal escapades. This deep dive does not shy away from the controversies, including the challenges in eradicating the church's impact and the public crusades that aimed to shed light on the dark corners of JMS. Through Stephanie's compelling narrative, the need for awareness and continued vigilance against such harmful ideologies is hammered home, making for a podcast episode that's as educational as it is gripping.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”

Louie Zamperini was one of the brightest prospects for the 1940 Olympics in track and field. But when WWII started, his life would take a much different path. The story of Louie’s struggles as a young loner, a rising star, a Pacific POW, and a man trying to reclaim his life after years of torment is as unbelievable as it is inspiring. Through Louie’s tale, the depths of the human soul and will to survive are examined. As Louie spirals out of control because of trauma and becomes obsessed with a plot to kill the man who tortured him, he learns that a man is not defined by his history, but rather by the manner in which he seeks a future. Unbroken reaches into the heart of terror and shines a light on what it means to triumph.

In an emotionally charged episode of "Rotten Mango," Stephanie Soo and her co-host take listeners through the heart-wrenching details of the Sewol ferry disaster, where over 300 people, mostly high school students, tragically lost their lives on a trip to Jeju Island. The podcast examines the chronological events that lead to the ship's sinking, the failure of cargo securement due to overloading, and the consequent tipping point that set the stage for disaster. They discuss the immediate reactions, heroic acts of bravery, and the chilling farewell messages from students to their loved ones, painting a vivid and heartbreaking picture of the tragedy.

Beyond the recounting of that ill-fated day, "Rotten Mango" explores the depths of human error and systemic failures responsible for the calamity. The episode dissects the negligence of companies prioritizing profit over safety, the inadequate crisis response from authorities, and the incidents of regulatory lapses that contributed to the chaos amidst the crisis. With a focus on the psychological toll on survivors and the national mourning that followed, the podcast offers a profound reflection on accountability and the resilience of the human spirit. As they discuss the aftermath and the cultural response to the disaster, Stephanie Soo and her co-host challenge listeners to contemplate the societal behavior and leadership actions that can either hinder or help in moments of dire need.