In 1978 Ted Kaczynski began what would become a series of bombings around the United States over the next two decades. Kaczynski, who was then an unknown serial bomber, wanted to rid the country of modern technology which he believed was destroying human minds and society. By 1996, the Unabomber had killed three and injured twenty nine others with his carefully crafted homemade bombs. The investigation into the Unabomber was the most expensive investigation in the history of the FBI with an estimated to cost around 50 million dollars.

In 1971, Noel Marshall, Tippi Hedren, and their family raised and purchased over 100 lions, tigers, and other big cats for an adventure comedy movie they planned to make called Roar. So many things went wrong while filming, the movie has been described as “the most dangerous film ever made”. A memorably eye-catching tagline for the film was "No animals were harmed in the making of this movie, 70 members of the cast and crew were."

From a very young age Benedict Allen dreamed of becoming an explorer. At the age of twenty two he saved up just enough money to get himself to South America and back, with the plan that he would cross the north of the Amazon basin. After spending five months in the rainforest with two local guides, Benedict found himself with two illegal gold miners, who one night, decided they would kill him. Benedict managed to get away, however he found himself alone in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. Benedict knew if he wanted to live and see his family again, he needed to do whatever it took to find a way out.

In 1988 Steve Cartisano founded the Challenger Foundation Camp in southern Utah for troubled teens. The program brought the teens into the Utah desert and was designed to help kids by instilling discipline, kicking them out of their bad habits and giving treatment. However after the death of 16-year-old Kristin Chase, the abuse occuring at this camp would finally come to light. Steve Cartisano was never held responsible and instead of finding a new line of work, decided to open multiple other wilderness therapy programs. His final program, Pacific Coast Academy in Samoa, was shut down after a video that was secretly taken at the camp exposing the abuse came to light.

Head to acorns.com/nt or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today! 

Let's chat about some unbelievable stories our listeners have sent to us!

A near-death experience, or NDE, refers to a profound, often life-changing event that occurs when a person is close to death, or becomes clinically dead for a time, yet survives. For some, the experience can involves a range of vivid, unusual sensations and perceptions, such as moving through a tunnel of light, an out of body experience, encountering deceased loved ones, a life review, etc. Though many people have NDEs the question of why these types of occurrences happen remains unanswered.

International Emergency/Suicide Hotlines:

https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

Steven Stayner was abducted at the age of 7 in 1972 by Kenneth Parnell, who held him captive for seven years. Steven eventually escaped in 1980 at the age of 14 and in a courageous act, he also rescued another kidnapped child, Timothy White. His remarkable survival story immediately became a national sensation. However Steven’s story is linked to his older brother, Cary Stayner, who later gained infamy for committing a series of murders in the 1990s.

Justin Dewitt wanted to hire a hitman to murder his business partner, Chad Williams, Chad's wife Angie, and their two small children over a lost landscaping contract. When Justin approached conman Ron Robi, he believed he would have that wish taken care of, however Ron promptly went to the police. After the undercover operation put Justin behind bars, he decided he would put out a few more hits on the people who were responsible for sending him to jail.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/nottoday and get on your way to being your best self.

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549, piloted by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, causing both engines to fail. Facing a critical emergency, Captain Sully made the decision to execute a water landing on the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew survived the unprecedented ditching, thanks to the crew's expertise and the swift response of rescue teams.

Check out Uncommon Goods! To get 15% your next gift go to UncommonGoods.com/nottoday  

The Wizard of Oz is a classic film millions have enjoyed since its release in 1939. Based on the children's novel by L. Frank Baum, the movie recounts an adventure between Dorothy, her dog, Toto, a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion on their way to get help from a great and powerful wizard. While the movie is revered as a cinematic masterpiece, it’s also infamous for its disastrous production problems. There were many severe accidents on set that almost cost multiple cast members their lives. The most amazing thing about Wizard of Oz is that it even made it to theaters in the first place. 

Check out our Merch shop! --> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/not-today?ref_id=35928