Deep in the jungles of Bougainville, a man crowned himself king, founded a bank with no money, and promised salvation through spreadsheets. Meet Noah Musingku: prophet, monarch, financial engineer and architect of the most absurd sovereign state you’ve never heard of. 

Is it a nation, a church or just the world’s most committed pyramid scheme?

This week, we’re joined by writer and podcaster extraordinaire Sean Williams to talk us through his remarkable investigation.

Find Sean on X: @swilliamsjourno and check out his podcast: https://www.underworldpod.com/

His original Harpers story is here: https://harpers.org/archive/2024/11/the-island-king-sean-williams-bougainville/

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Theme music: War Machine (The Purpose of a System Is What It Does) by Sister Ray Davies. Check them out: https://www.instagram.com/sisterraydavies