Unscrupulous

This is a story about a girl named Lucky...

Well, it's a story about a girl who sang about a girl named Lucky. First, Bec (they/them) gives us the ins and outs of Britney Spears' rise to fame and her eventual conservatorship. After a divorce from Kevin Federline gave her less time with her kids, Britney's mental health was suffering and her horrible father Jamie Spears took the opportunity to become the legal guardian of Britney. And her bank account. Strap in, we get reeeaaaaal into it. #FreeBritney

Next, Adam (he/him) tells us about pharma bro Martin Shkreli. From his beginnings in finance to him infamously raising the prices of life saving medication. We learn all about how he rightfully earned the title of being the most hated man on the internet with the face everyone seems to want to punch.

Bec's Sources:

• https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/908141-timeline-of-key-events-in-life-of-britney-spears
• https://www.newyorker.com/news/american-chronicles/britney-spears-conservatorship-nightmare
• https://people.com/music/britney-spears-father-jamie-steps-down-as-her-conservator

Adam's Sources:

• What Did Martin Shkreli Do to Make the Internet So Angry? | WIRED.
• Martin Shkreli | AP News
• FTC asks judge to hold 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli in contempt of court for forming new drug firm
• 'Pharma bro' Martin Shkreli is out of jail and living with his sister in Queens, and now earns $2500 a month as a law firm consultant  
• 'Pharma Bro' Shkreli freed from prison for halfway house | AP News 
• Advice To Martin Shkreli: 9 Ways To Stop Being The Most Hated Man On The Planet
• Martin Shkreli - Wikipedia

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First Bec (they/them) tells us about Mr. Monarch himself, an expert on British royalty who had the distinction of being heavily interviewed during the royal wedding. Unfortunately by the end of the wedding month, his past would be exposed and Thomas James Mace-Archer-Mills had a lot of explaining to do, which he does. With a made-up accent.

Next, Adam (he/him) tells us about Curtis Howe Springer, who took his interest in medicine and made a career out of it. No, not a doctor, but a sort of religious/wellness/medical leader. Come for the natural springs, stay for the cross-shaped pool.

Bec's Sources:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvaXVV0pDq4
• https://thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/tell-me-about-the-british-monarchist-society/
• https://www.insider.com/who-is-thomas-mace-archer-mills-thomas-muscatello-2018-5
• https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2018/06/more-on-tommy-from-bolton-landing.html 
• Wiki
• https://www.newyorkupstate.com/adirondacks/2018/06/expert_on_british_royal_family_turns_out_to_be_a_guy_from_upstate_ny.html 
• https://observer.com/2018/06/fake-british-royals-expert-still-uses-accent-in-video-interview/
• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tommy-muscatello-royal-family-expert-thomas-j-mace-archer-mills-esq-italian-american-new-york-a8378576.html 

Adam's Sources:

• The Story Of Zzyzx, The Eerie Ghost Town Along A Dead-End Road In The Middle Of The California Desert
• Curtis Springer and Zzyzx - CSU Desert Studies Center | CSUF
• Miracles and Mirages: How Curtis Howe Springer Stole the Desert | Lost LA | Food & Discovery | KCET
• Zzyzx: An Unlikely Home of Hucksterism and Miracle Cures - Los Angeles Times

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

First Adam (he/him) gives us one of his famous roundup episodes, this time the topic is the liars behind advertising. Adam takes us through several companies that were called out for telling bold face un-truths to their consumers. From brain game apps to yogurt to shoes, let Adam tell you how everything is basically a lie.

Next Bec (they/them) takes us through the events of January 6, more commonly referred to as the insurrection. Bec takes us through the timeline leading up the day and a breakdown of the riot itself.  


Adam's Sources:

• The Three Biggest False Advertising Scandals of the Past Decade
• Misleading marketing: Cheerios, 5-Hour Energy drink among products tagged with outrageous claims
• 18 false advertising scandals that cost some brands millions
• Lumosity - Wikipedia
• Forbes - What You Really Need To Know About The Safety Of 5-Hour Energy Drink
• Sensa (diet) - Wikipedia
• Activia - Wikipedia
• Green coffee extract - Wikipedia
• Caffeine Content of Drinks

Bec's Sources:

• https://www.npr.org/2022/01/05/1069977469/a-timeline-of-how-the-jan-6-attack-unfolded-including-who-said-what-and-when 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_January_6_United_States_Capitol_attack#Aftermath
• wiki

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

First Adam (he/him) tells us about two cousins who, in 1917, shared some photos they took of themselves playing with fairies. Once one of their moms takes the photos to her Theosophical Society meeting the photos become a global story. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle pops up, as he always does in stories like these, to encourage the two to take more photos. Adam takes us through the phenomenon that was the Cottingley Fairies up until the late-in-life (sorta) admission of truth around these famous pictures.

Then Bec (they/them) takes us back to the dawn of television. When people were figuring out how to transition the popularity of quiz shows from radio to TV. After early episodes were filmed producers realized how different the two formats were and realized that they would need to manipulate, or as they put it, "produce" the shows. When contestants began speaking up about what was going on behind the scenes audiences were outraged to find out tv wasn't real, this really was a simpler time folks. This scandal ended up completely changing television and laws around quiz shows as we know them today.

Adam's Sources:

• Cottingley Fairies: How Sherlock Holmes's creator was fooled by hoax - BBC News
• Cottingley Fairies - Wikipedia
• The Cottingley Fairies - Historic UK
• Rose Fyleman - Fairies
• The Coming of the Fairies by Arthur Conan Doyle - Free Ebook

Bec's Sources:

• https://medium.com/@stevechatterton/the-quiz-show-scandal-or-why-jeopardy-is-played-backwards-519f46d1489d
• https://www.americanheritage.com/dr-joyce-brothers-beats-system
• https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/quiz-show-scandals
• https://theretrospectors.com/on-this-day-joyce-brothers-64000-swot/
• ​​https://www.history.com/news/quiz-show-scandal-fraud-jeopardy 

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

First Bec (they/them) takes us back to a simpler life; a time  when ugg boots and Paris Hilton ran supreme.  A group of plucky teens break into several celebrity houses to try on their clothes, steal their drugs, and brag to their friends about it. Eventually their reckless behaviour catches up with them, but not before they snort Paris Hilton's cocaine, use Rachel Bilson's bathroom, AND a reality show premiere shows the arrests being made.

Then Adam (he/him) tells us about the time $100 million was taken in less than half an hour. Brinks put a bunch of jewels in a trailer, not the armoured vehicles they're known for, and would you believe it? The jewels were stolen!  And in a strange twist of fate, Brinks decides to sue the victims. Adam takes us through the crime itself and the subsequent trial where they really poured salt on the wound.

Bec's Sources:

• https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/crime-in-the-media/the-bling-ring/
• https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/bling-ring-scandal-timeline-celebrity-heist-hollywood-burglary
• https://www.tiktok.com/@julianburzynski/video/6904399244581506310?lang=en

Adam's Sources:

• $100 Million Gone in 27 Minutes
• Millions of dollars worth of jewelry stolen in California Brinks truck heist | The Hill
• Armored Brink’s Security Truck in California Robbed of Gems and Jewelry Worth Millions - WSJ
• Brink's driver was asleep inside truck during jewelry heist - Los Angeles Times

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

First Adam (he/him) tells us the incredible story of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as the Ghost Army of World War II. Think of it as allied forces meets art school. In an effort to fool Nazi soldiers, American art students, creators and architects are asked to create a pretend army that can go anywhere, anytime, in an effort to stress out the German soldiers. Including balloon tanks, leaving tracks in the ground and speakers blaring the sounds of soldier life ambience.

Next Bec (they/them) tells us about Lou Blonger,  the kingpin of the million dollar bunco ring of the Wild West. Lou grew from his family business in mine's to founding his own gold mine, starting a saloon, and obtaining the top spot in the Denver underworld. For 20-odd years no one so much as sneezed or picked a pocket in Denver without Lou and the Blonger Brother's knowing about it. He re-structured the entire criminal system to conveniently have him at the top.

Adam's Sources:

• The Ghost Army of World War II Used Art to Deceive the Nazis | History| Smithsonian Magazine
• Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
• The Top-Secret WWII Unit That Fooled the Nazis | HISTORY
• A phantom division played a role in Germany's defeat (image of original 1985 article, with original art by Ghost Army veteran Arthur Shilstone) 
• (Watch) Ghost Army Gold Medal Celebration of Bernie Bluestein 
• The Ghost Army Legacy Project
• (Watch) "The Ghost Army" trailer 
• The Ghost Army (the book and the documentary film) 

• https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-blonger/
• https://original.newsbreak.com/@rick-zand-1602355/2933864897868-lou-blonger-and-denver-s-million-dollar-bunco-ring
• Wiki

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

Trigger Warning up top, friends - in Adam's story we discuss some heavy topics like colonialism in Canada (including but not limited to the Residential School System), sexual misconduct in the church, and grim patriarchal bullshit including anti-choice rhetoric, racism and homophobia. But it wouldn't be an episode on the Catholic Church without it!

First Bec (they/them) tells us about the many lives Frèdèric Bourdin tries on. What started as a proclivity to pretend to be someone else, turns into assuming the identity of real missing people. He sets off to America to try and convince a family that he is their missing son. After they discover an actual stranger in their home, Frèdèric returns to Europe continuing to pretend to be different missing boys. Even though he has appeared on tv shows and documentaries  where he admitted to his lies, the self proclaimed Chameleon of Nantes can't seem to stop himself. Does the impulse come from bad intentions or is he chasing the childhood he never had?

Next Adam (he/him) finishes PopeTalk™. This week we focus on the lives of Pope John Paul II (later Saint John Paul II), and Pope Benedict XVI as we move into the more modern era of popes and all the hatred they spew, the crimes they ignore, and the atrocities they encourage. They probably wouldn't be happy this episode is the first to come out during pride month. We both get pretty fired up in this ep.

Bec's Sources:

• https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/08/11/the-chameleon-annals-of-crime-david-grann
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Bourdin

Adam's Sources:

• Saint John Paul II | Biography, Death, Miracles, Feast Day, & Facts | Britannica
• Pope John Paul II - Wikipedia
• Benedict XVI | Biography, Resignation, Legacy, & Facts | Britannica
• Pope Benedict XVI - Wikipedia
• Rules of Law (Regulae Iuris) | Encyclopedia.com
• National Catholic Reporter: Obituary of Pope John Paul II
• [ Footprints ] Pope John Paul II | Ammsa.com
• Pope Benedict XVI discusses condoms and the spread of HIV 
• Do condoms work? | aidsmap 
• The Role of the Churches | Facing History & Ourselves
• Magdalen laundries: a brief history of the institutions
• How Ireland Turned 'Fallen Women' Into Slaves
• Canadian researcher challenges Vatican's claim that its Indigenous artifacts were gifts | CBC News

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

Our first ever multi-parter!

Adam (he/him) proves yet again that he is a nerd for the messed up activities of the church. Adam gives us a list so comprehensive, it needs two episodes to be properly appreciated. In this first part we are introduced to the Vatican and the countless times they've denied any wrongdoing or responsibility, we meet a few of the earlier men who held the title of pope and the horrible things that they either were directly involved in or turned a blind eye to. On our journey we touch on the acts of Pope Stephen VI, Pope Boniface VIII, Pope Leo X, Pope Paul IV, and Pope Pius XII.

Next Bec (they/them) tells us about the infamous Anna Delvey. Many of us know this story already, especially if you've seen the Netflix series Inventing Anna. Turns out, Adam has never seen it! So Bec gets to tell Adam every juicy detail of Anna's crimes and the reckless behaviour that led to a Shonda Rhimes production.


Adam's Sources:

• https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/p/Pope.htm
• https://www.catholic.com/audio/caf/what-popes-are-not
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-VI-or-VII 
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-VIII
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cum_nimis_absurdum 
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-X
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-IV
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-XII
• https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rules-law-regulae-iuris

Bec's Sources:

• https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/who-is-anna-delvey-crime-timeline-schemes-netflix-inventing-anna
• https://www.thecut.com/article/how-anna-delvey-tricked-new-york.html
• Wiki 

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

First Bec (they/them) gives us a history lesson about Charles Ponzi, the namesake of the Ponzi Scheme. Sometimes referred to as a pyramid scheme, either way, it spells financial trouble. We learn all about how this Italian immigrant took America by storm and what exactly makes this scheme illegal.

Then Adam (he/him) tells us about a couple who could very well be reality stars of today. Unfortunately, they were ahead of their time and their dramatics played out in the paper. Andre Riela (one of the many names of Anthony Macaluso) escapes to Paris and ends up meeting someone as dramatic as him, Madame Antoinette Sherri. The two head back to America eager to make waves, getting their name in the papers, becoming broadway legends, building famous party homes; these two live many lives and we are lucky enough to be taken along for the ride.

Bec's sources:

• ​​https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1150332566
• Wiki
• ​​https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-ponzi-we-trust-64016168/ 

Adam's Sources:

• The Audacious Tabloid Couple Who Scammed Their Way Into New York's High Society
• The Fascinating Madame Sherri |
• The Tombs - Wikipedia

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]

First Adam (he/him) tells us about a queen of the con, big Bertha Schlesinger. Coming to America for a better life Bertha learns quickly that she has a taste for the finer things, but doesn't really feel like paying for anything. Luckily she can use her feminine charm to get others to foot the bill for her. A life shrouded in mystery, but the bits we do know are incredibly fascinating.

Next Bec (they/them) teaches us the true story behind the Stanford Prison Experiment. Did your psych teacher tell you all about a group of young men who were randomly assigned into roles of prisoners and guards? Today Bec is going to unravel the misinformation we have about this experiment, the steps and missteps of its creator Professor Zimbardo. Oh, and the lasting effects this social experiment has on our society today.


Adam's Sources:

• https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/big-bertha-heyman-the-confidence-queen/article_289d524f-7865-5b03-b344-8a7c6456ec99.html
• https://www.geriwalton.com/bertha-heyman-big-bertha-or-the-confidence-queen/

Bec's Sources:

• https://themindlab.co.uk/academy/epic-fails-what-can-we-learn-from-recently-debunked-psychology-studies/#:~:text=It%20turns%20out%20that%20the,only%20study%20to%20be%20debunked
• https://www.simplypsychology.org/zimbardo.html#:~:text=Because%20the%20guards%20and%20prisoners,study%20has%20low%20ecological%20validity
• Wiki 

Make sure to follow us on instagram @unscrupulouspod and send us an email at [email protected]