S3E6: The Truth

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien tells the stories of a small company of American soldiers serving in the Vietnam War. Through the narrative, the book blurs the line between autobiography and fiction, leaving the reader unsure as to what is fact and what is myth. In reading these stories, we explore the harrowing physical and psychological toll of warfare and the dehumanizing and brutalizing effects of combat on human beings. We also see the transformative power that narrative and storytelling have to help us make sense of our experiences and give meaning and clarity to even the most shocking, chaotic, and traumatizing events.

Delve into the bizarre and fascinating world of naked mole rats with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast. This episode takes you on a subterranean journey into the lives of these unsung heroes of the animal kingdom, blending scientific inquiry with the engaging storytelling the show is known for. Tap into your natural curiosity as the hosts reveal the unique characteristics and eusocial structures that make naked mole rats a true marvel of evolution, and a reflection of nature's endless inventiveness.

Intriguingly, despite their unconventional appearance, naked mole rats possess traits that could unlock secrets to longevity and cancer resistance, capturing the attention of the scientific community. The hosts' captivating exploration covers everything from their proficiency in communication and subterranean survival tactics to their surprising insensitivity to pain. Listeners are treated not only to eye-opening facts but also anecdotes and listener contributions that embellish this audio odyssey. Chuck and Josh's passion is infectious, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for these unique creatures and the researchers who study them.

Dive into a spine-tingling yet side-splitting journey with Henry Zebrowski and Marcus Parks on the Last Podcast On The Left, as they unleash their latest episode, rife with dark humor and eerie narratives. Known for their eccentric blend of comedy and horror, the hosts set the tone with Henry’s laughable mishap in a Spider-Man costume, transitioning seamlessly into satirical takes on Hollywood's quirks and a deep appreciation for the craft of fear. The 'Listenerpasta' segment remains a ghastly delight, with fan-submitted stories ranging from supernatural shenanigans to the hauntingly banal, always peppered with Henry and Marcus’s signature comedic flair.

The duo's rich tapestry of tales takes listeners from chilling literary discussions to the surreal corners of everyday life, perfectly encapsulating their expertise in weaving humor through horror. Whether marveling at odd local legends or teasing the chilling allure of their new comic venture, "Operation Sunshine," their banter remains as compelling as it is comical. The network of supporters and fans behind Last Podcast On The Left gets a heartfelt acknowledgment, cementing the community's role in this oddball odyssey. Tune in for a Halloween special tease and a promise of future stories that navigate the narrow path between the terrifying and the uproarious - a testament to the hosts' knack for marrying the macabre with the mirthful.

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.

A little girl growing up alone in the lush marshes of the North Carolina coast. A young woman who falls in love and experiences the anguish of a broken heart. A promise of marriage. A betrayal that leads to death. In Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens reveals these moments along Kya Clark’s journey to survive after her family abandons her as a child. Owens’s prose is as lush as the environment she describes, making you feel you are with Kya every step of the way. As Kya deals with discrimination and torment by the local townspeople, she must also navigate matters of the heart and decide if opening her heart is worth the risk when all she’s known is loss.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a poignant story about a man named Eddie’s journey after death. In heaven, he meets five people who teach him about the meaning and value of his own life. Through their stories and lessons, Eddie learns about connection, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love.

Through this book, you’ll have the chance to imagine your own life’s purpose and the lives you’ve touched along the way. The author is Mitch Albom, best-selling author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto.

Educated: A Memoir is Tara Westover’s autobiography. In it, she shows us her transformation from being the daughter of survivalist, fundamentalist, anti-science, anti-medicine, and anti-education parents, to becoming a Cambridge-educated historian. Westover gains the strength to break free from the ideological chains of her youth and discovers the agency to make her own choices about how she sees and experiences the world.

While it is about one individual’s journey, Educated speaks to universal themes of self-liberation, the power of education, the perils of extreme ideology, and the trauma of domestic abuse.

The Glass Castle is the harrowing tale of Jeannette Wall’s life growing up in poverty with wayward parents. Jeannette and her siblings were often left to fend for themselves as their parents engaged in alcoholic binges or flights of fancy. The siblings ultimately resented their parents’ neglect and became independent, moving far away.

Following the Walls family through the desert to the coal-mining region of West Virginia to the fast-paced life of New York City, this memoir explores the nature of family, loyalty, and tragedy and what it takes to survive together and apart.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a memoir by psychotherapist and author Lori Gottlieb. She discusses a difficult time in her life following a sudden breakup with her long-term boyfriend. The incident upset her so badly that it drove her to seek therapy herself.

This book is the story of Lori’s time in therapy, interwoven with stories about Lori’s own patients. Though each of their situations is different, their shared struggles and how they overcome them reflect common experiences that all people share—in fact, Lori says that the reason therapists can be effective is precisely because they have those same struggles. As Lori and her patients work together toward health and understanding, they reflect on their pasts—how they got to be where they are now—and the futures they’d like to have.

One of the most influential books of the last 50 years, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance demystifies the foundations of our modern ideas and values—and teaches us how to find fulfillment in any aspect of our lives. It combines a narrative of a father and son on a motorcycle journey across the country, along with philosophical musings on the human relationship with technology, metaphysics, and how to live a life of meaning.

In this summary, you’ll discover an intellectual thrill unlike any other: part family tragedy, part insightful meditation on the ways we think, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is nourishment for both heart and mind.

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.

The Glass Castle is the harrowing tale of Jeannette Wall’s life growing up in poverty with wayward parents. Jeannette and her siblings were often left to fend for themselves as their parents engaged in alcoholic binges or flights of fancy. The siblings ultimately resented their parents’ neglect and became independent, moving far away.

Following the Walls family through the desert to the coal-mining region of West Virginia to the fast-paced life of New York City, this memoir explores the nature of family, loyalty, and tragedy and what it takes to survive together and apart.