Ever felt an unseen presence guiding you in a life-or-death moment? That’s the Third Man Factor. In this episode, we dive into what it is, where the term comes from, and real-life accounts—from Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic survival to eerie 9/11 stories. Is it a guardian angel, a brain coping mechanism, or something else? We break down the psychology, the mystery, and the theories behind this phenomenon.

The boys are back with 3 unique stories for your enjoyment. This weeks topic: Famous Hoaxes throughout history (whether they were meant to be or not). Join us as we discuss 3 amazing stories that will leave you laughing and wondering "How are people so gullible?"

One historical, one magical, and one just completely absurd and hilarious, and some short honorable-mentions. Look at the artwork to get an idea.

With biting satire and in-depth analysis, the episode exposes how immigrants—despite paying billions in taxes and building communities—are persistently demonized as threats. We also explore the irony of a nation that touts freedom and opportunity while sidelining those who have long contributed to its prosperity.

Join us as we challenge exclusionary narratives, confront historical injustices, and ask:

What does it really mean to be a “good American” in a country built on both lofty ideals and harsh realities.

In this episode, we unravel one of the most infamous documents in CIA history: the Family Jewels. This 700-page dossier, compiled in the 1970s, exposes decades of covert and often illegal activities carried out by the agency.

We’ll dive into some of the most shocking revelations, including:

• ​ Assassination Plots: Covert plans to remove foreign leaders who challenged U.S. interests.
• ​ Surveillance Programs: Wiretapping journalists and spying on U.S. citizens in direct violation of the CIA’s charter.
• ​ MKULTRA: Experiments in mind control and drug testing on unwitting participants.
• ​ Illegal Detentions: Kidnapping and holding individuals without due process.
• ​ Domestic Spying: Monitoring civil rights leaders, anti-war activists, and political dissidents during the 1960s and beyond.
• ​ Cover-ups: Internal efforts to bury these actions and protect the agency’s image.

This is the story of power, secrecy, and the ethical dilemmas that defined a critical chapter in U.S. intelligence history. Tune in for the full story of the CIA’s Family Jewels.

Join us as we go back to the 1980's, when Satan was to blame for all of the world's ailments: war, crime, serial killers, rape, child abductions, etc... What affect did this have on our culture? And our music?! Was every deviant minded criminal out there just controlled by Satan? Were daycare centers the hub of an international child sex-ring? What did we (NOT) learn from the 80's that is happening right now in the 2000's? And will it continue to happen? Our very special friends and guests Chalice Blythe & Dex Desjardins join us for the 3rd time on this episode and give us plenty to discuss, laugh about and get pissed off about.

Think New Year’s Day is all fireworks and fresh starts? Think again. On this episode of "The Story Of... Extra Credit Edition," we’re diving into the gut-wrenching, heartbreaking history of New Year’s during slavery—a day once known as “Hiring Day” or, more brutally, “Heartbreak Day.”

We’re exposing the truths you won’t find in your sanitized history books: families ripped apart, lives auctioned off, and the reverberations we still feel today. We’ll tackle the half-measures of the Emancipation Proclamation, call out the modern rise of white supremacy, and unpack why facing history isn’t “woke” but just being human.

It’s raw, it’s real, and yeah—it’s gonna piss you off. But trust me, it’s a story you need to hear. Tune in to "Heartbreak Day: The Dark History of New Year’s in America." Available now wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode of The Story of..., Smith, Mike, and Camp tackle the immune system’s ultimate cheat code: vaccines. Ever wonder how your body learns to fight disease without signing up for the full-blown plague experience? Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of clever trickery and zero cow kissing (looking at you, Edward Jenner).

The gang also dives into the dramatic history of anti-vaccine movements, including 19th-century skeptics who thought vaccines would turn you into a human-cow hybrid (sadly, no super moo-powers). It’s science, history, and just the right amount of sarcasm—all delivered straight to your ears. Get ready to laugh and learn!

In this Extra Credit episode, Joe Camp takes you through the amazing history of the Calutron girls- young women hired to do critical work on a secret project and help contribute the war effort in the 1940's. Listen to find out more.

Why do numbers play such a significant role in our lives and cultures? Do they actually hold meaning, or do we just assign them meaning because we’re scared? What’s good, 3 or 7? What’s bad, 4 or 13? Why do angels get triple repeat numbers, but not triple 6’s? Why does Satan get the good one? Join Smith, Mike and Camp as we journey into our favorite numbers, our life paths, and our birthdates on the 3rd episode of the season, recorded on the 3rd of the month, and released on the following 3rd… spooky.  

What if I told you that the Thanksgiving story we all grew up with—the Pilgrims, the feast, the peaceful gathering—was a lie?

No, not just a little fib. We’re talking revisionist history with a side of cranberry sauce.

On this extra credit episode Thanksgiving: The Turkey, the Lies, and the Leftovers of History, we’re serving up the raw, unfiltered truth behind America’s most celebrated feast. It’s a story of survival, betrayal, stolen land, and… propaganda.

From the mass devastation of Indigenous populations to the shady deals that landed the Pilgrims in Plymouth, this isn’t the Thanksgiving tale your textbooks wanted you to know