Before he was charming the Rude Dudes with tales of silly capers, heists, and cons, Zaron was a house painter. But not just any old house painter. He worked on high end projects with meticulous care. Except for that one time he became an accidental arsonist. Oops.

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In Dresden, Germany, an incredible trove of precious gems is on display in Dresden Castle's Green Vault. They've been there for hundreds of years, save a brief moment when a crime family lifted them and made a run for it. Some made it home, others weren't so lucky. Maybe those jewels will return someday. Hope, like crime, springs eternal.

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Before they grew long beards and a mustache and formed ZZ Top, two of the bandmates, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, were once in a traveling band that was created as a blatant cash grab. Much like Los Beatles Americanos (remember them?), an impostor band was formed to pull some artistic identity theft and the future members of ZZ Top were only too happy to play along. It's like some folks like to say, "Hey man, it was the '60s!" And all of it was ridiculous!

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Natural Causes is a podcast about the politics and practicalities of going outside in a world on fire, hosted by Dr. James Stout. It approaches the outdoors, conservation, agriculture, food sovereignty, and Indigenous land rights as interconnected issues. We want to combine unflinching journalism with unabashed advocacy for the land we all share, and welcome everyone into the outdoors and the fight for our public lands. Our shared wild spaces are under threat like never before, from climate change, the Trump administration, and extractive capitalism. Now, more than ever, we need serious journalism and serious solidarity that engages people with the struggle to protect these spaces for generations to come. New episodes weekly.

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He fought for freedom, not just for his native Spain but for oppressed people worldwide. With his strong believe that, "the keystone of existence is doing right by one's neighbor," his subversive tactics used the tools of system against itself: fake passports and counterfeit cash. Oh, and phony traveler's checks, which is how he ran afoul of one of the largest banks in the world. But leave it to Lucio to get the last laugh.

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The name of their crime crew was certainly unfortunate. Like, who would wanna be known as The Black Tuna Gang? But their crimes, however, are legendary. Long before cocaine became synonymous with Colombia and Miami, these quasi-hippie drug smugglers set the mold. They showed all who came after them how to build an international smuggling empire and earn millions off of Colombia's original cash crop, that sticky-icky South American reefer. Their run didn't last terribly long because they seemingly did everything with a ridiculous amount of unearned confidence and a love of rash decisions. But while it lasted, oh what a run they had!

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Humans are fascinated by two things and two things only in this life: space and keepsakes. That’s it. The astronauts of the Apollo 15 mission knew this, so they took a LOT of stamped envelopes to the moon. You know, for the sake of both science and commerce. This was, however, against the rules. Who cares! To commemorative stamp sales…and beyond!

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For these three stories, there is one unifying idea: the show must NOT go on. And in order to ensure the show was indeed stopped, people turned to crimes, sweet, sweet ridiculous crimes. Whether a theater musical director, a bride-to-be, or an Olivia Rodrigo fan, in each instance there was only way to be sure: criminality. Come for the history of the phrase, stay for the modern lesson in summer concert culture. Just be sure not to get any on you.

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For part two of this special edition, Zaron continues his interview with author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. In the second half of the interview, Matthew Campbell examines the other half of the art crime, the metaphorical detectives and police tasked with investigating and seeking justice for the Cambodian people. There's also discussion of redemption, righting of wrongs, and the role and responsibillities of museums and auction houses in this global tale of art crime. 

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For part one of this special edition, Zaron interviews author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. The incredible tale documents a truly global art crime. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and Cambodian Civil War and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, this story explores the theft of statues and bas reliefs from religious sites like Angkor Wat and how through a shadowy network of looters, middlemen, auction houses, museums and art collectors the cultural inheritance of Cambodia becomes must-have items for the ultra-wealthy of the West. 

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