We’re joined by our friend Conner from the Propagandos podcast to talk about how the famously hardcore evangelical, anti-LGBT Chick-Fil-A empire has invested in an original content app and Trilith Studios, the second largest production lot in all of North America — home base for nearly every Marvel movie made since 2017. 

The Cathy family, owners of the fast food chain, the aren’t the kind of people you’d usually associate with Hollywood — so what are they really up to?

Check out Propagandos at https://rss.com/podcasts/propagandos/ and on Instagram: @Propagandospod

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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

On July 7, 2005, at 8:49 AM, three bombs detonated in three separate trains in the London Underground. How did Samantha Lewthwaite, the British wife of one of the suspects known as the White Widow, go on to become one of the world’s most wanted individuals for her roles in multiple terrorist attacks across several continents?

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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

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From 19th-century mentalists to multi-millionaires, we trace how a fringe theology promising health and wealth became a global juggernaut among evangelical Christians.

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Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at [email protected]

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

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Aamer takes us inside the Saudi social media phenomenon of 'free masked men' — anonymous videos complaining about declining living standards and calling for the head of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

But like everything in the Kingdom, it may not be all that seems...

Check out the videos here: https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/masked-saudi-youths-spark-online-movement-calling-end-crown-princes-rule

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at [email protected]

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

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Recorded prior to the United States bombing Iran, in this episode Elle and Aamer discuss the history behind why American Christians have become so obsessed with defending the state of Israel — no matter the cost.

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at [email protected]

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

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Aamer and Elle are joined by journalist Gareth Gore, author of Opus, an expose on Opus Dei — a secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic sect — and its long history of cosying up to dictators, human trafficking, and siphoning billions of dollars from one of the world’s largest banks.

Buy Gareth’s book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016145

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at [email protected]

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

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Reactionary nihilism, ideological world building, and kitty litters in classrooms: in this episode, journalist and author Katherine Stewart takes us inside the power center of American conservatives.

Katherine's substack: https://substack.com/@katherinestewartbooks

Katherine's latest book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/money-lies-and-god-9781635578546/

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at [email protected]

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episode Description: 

In this episode of Hell to Pay, Sipho Hlongwane and Elle Hardy are joined by journalist and author Pontsho Pilane to unravel the rise — and flight — of Shepherd Bushiri, the self-proclaimed prophet turned fugitive. From prosperity preaching and financial fraud to allegations of sexual abuse, we explore how faith, wealth, and impunity collide in the megachurch era. Plus: how Bushiri fits into a broader African religious landscape shaped by power, inequality, and spiritual manipulation.

Sources: 

• Bushiris: How the couple fled South Africa for Malawi" – BBC News

• "Bushiri faces additional charges after he fled SA – Minister Kubayi" – SABC News"Bushiri's return to Malawi threatens relations with South Africa" – Al Jazeera

• "Shepherd Bushiri: Prophet or pretender?" – BBC NewsThe prosperity gospel excuses poverty and its true causes in Africa" – Mail & Guardian

• "When crime is cloaked as religion" – Mail & Guardian (Thought Leader)

• "Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso released from custody pending appeal against prohibited person decision" – Daily Maverick

Where to buy Pontsho’ book: https://www.nb.co.za/en/view-book?id=9780624093084 

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Suppose you are a fan of Cairo’s Al-Ahly football club. Your team, the most successful club in the world in terms of trophies won, but currently sits second in the league table, one point behind surprise contenders Haras El Hodood (“Border Guards”) Football Club. Next up is an away trip to Port Said to face Masry Football Club.

Unlike other away matches, however, 72 Ahly fans will not make the return journey home. The utter carnage that happened at that match on Feb 1, 2012 was so horrifying it led to the suspension of the Egyptian Premier League for two years and raised many questions about the interim transitional government following Egypt’s Arab Spring in 2011, and the level of collusion between the state and the so called Masry ultras who ran riot during and after the match.

Support us by signing up for our Substack at https://helltopaypodcast.substack.com/

Suggestions? Questions? Comments? You can find us at [email protected]

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.