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Top Documentary Podcasts

151
Documentary

Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord

Identical twins Jay and Pete Flores, who were once North America’s biggest drug traffickers and El Chapo’s right hand men, turned themselves into the U.S. government with the hopes of starting a new, safer life for their family. But after years of cooperating to get the world's most powerful drug kingpin behind bars, and finally gaining their freedom with a chance to start again, everything for the Flores family began to unravel. In Season 2 of Surviving El Chapo, hosts Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Charlie Webster hear Jay and Pete reveal for the first time what really happened during their turbulent 14-year prison journey and what it was like to come face-to-face in court with El Chapo. Plus, find out the shocking backstory to the prison sentence that the Flores wives are currently facing.
 
Hosted and executive produced by award-winning artist and producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and critically acclaimed broadcast journalist and producer Charlie Webster. Brought to you by Lionsgate Sound as a world exclusive with iHeartPodcasts.

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Identical twins Jay and Pete Flores, who were once North America’s biggest dru Read More
152
Documentary

Sold a Story

Millions of kids can't read well. Scientists have known for decades how children learn to read, but many schools don’t know about the research. They buy teacher training and books that are rooted in a disproven idea. In Sold a Story, Emily Hanford investigates four authors and a publishing company that have made millions selling this idea. Read More
Millions of kids can’t read well. Scientists have known for decades how ch Read More
153
Documentary

Strangeology

Welcome to Strangeology, hosted by Jeff Foran. Explore the strange and unexplained through episodes on cryptids, UFOs, paranormal phenomena, legends, ancient mysteries, conspiracies, and forgotten history. Each episode dives into the stories, sightings, theories, and evidence behind some of the world’s weirdest mysteries. New episodes drop every other Friday.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/strangeology--6216321/support.
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Welcome to Strangeology, hosted by Jeff Foran. Explore the strange and unexplain Read More
154
Documentary

Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast

How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis.

Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers. 

From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com.

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How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize Read More
155
Documentary

Elizabeth the First

In a world where “influence” equals follower counts and likes, there was one woman who, over the course of her career and half a century before, defined the meaning of influence and transformed its power.  She went the distance by living a remarkable life beyond the dazzle - breaking ground as the first true influencer. Her name?  Elizabeth Taylor. Narrated by Katy Perry, Elizabeth the First is a 10-episode podcast series exploring the life of Elizabeth Taylor as Hollywood icon, mother, wife, entrepreneur, advocate… and influencer. "Sumptuously produced" - The Toronto Star Elizabeth the First is produced by Imperative Entertainment in association with House of Taylor and Kitty Purry Productions. Executive producers are Katy Perry, Jason Hoch, and Stephanie Koff. Elizabeth the First is narrated by Katy Perry, produced by Jason Hoch, and written by Stephanie Koff.  Sound Engineering and audio editing by Shaine Freeman and Jason Hoch. House of Taylor Trustees are Quinn Tivey, Tim Mendelson, and Barbara Berkowitz, and its Brand Strategy Consultant is Erin Dawkins.  Marshall Eskowitz and Carey Schwartz of Sunset Blvd serve as Producing Partners and represent House of Taylor for Elizabeth Taylor licensing and content opportunities. Jasha Klebe wrote and composed the original score.  Additional music provided by Rhys Tivey. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Taylor, ©BertSternTrust photographed by Bert Stern. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. If you’d like to support The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, visit http://elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org. And, if you’d like to go deeper into the world of Elizabeth Taylor, keep an eye out for the first authorized biography about her life. Elizabeth Taylor: the Grit & Glamour of an Icon by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower will be out on December 6. Read More
In a world where “influence” equals follower counts and likes, there was one Read More
156
Documentary

Can I tell you a secret?

It starts the same way... A seemingly innocent message from someone who appears to be a young woman: ‘Can I tell you a secret?’ But as this six-part podcast explores, people are rarely their true selves online – and one man took it much further. What happened when this cyberstalker wreaked havoc across the internet and ruined people’s lives. And why did he do it? Can I Tell You A Secret - a Guardian podcast series about obsession, fear, and the lives we lead online Read More
It starts the same way… A seemingly innocent message from someone who appe Read More
157
Documentary

American Prankster

There aren’t very many original Beatniks left on planet earth and as of this writing, Wavy Gravy is one of the last original Beatnik poets standing. But Wavy isn’t just an original Beatnik poet - he's also a improv comedy trailblazer and international comedic activist who’s antics included running a pig for president. This series travels from Wavy’s childhood to the Gaslight Café Beatnik years to San Francisco where the convergence of psychedelic and comedy history collided, steering Wavy to Hollywood where his comedy career soared, propelling him to the famed Acid Tests and the birth of his Hog Farm commune, bringing Wavy to the Woodstock Peace and Music Festival’s stage enshrining him as a global symbol for peace, love and Rock’n’Roll. Wavy’s historic and hilarious adventures include his involvement in countless cultural watershed moments in American history… like the fabrication of snapping for applause, the introduction of granola to hippies and in fact, the actual creation of the ethos of the hippie. American Prankster is a chronological deep dive with Wavy, unfolding never-before-heard stories about his life that even he had forgotten until interviews with Rainbow Valentine from Disorganized Crime: Smuggler’s Daughter, retrieved them. Stories about Wavy’s psychedelic shenanigans with countless icons like: Lenny Bruce, Groucho Marx, BB King, Janis Joplin, Tiny Tim, Del Close, Ken Kesey, Neal Cassady, Margo St. James, Thelonius Monk, Bob Dylan, Ram Dass, Albert Einstein, Peter, Paul & Mary, Marlene Dietrich, Severin Darden, Joan Baez, Martha Graham, Alice Cooper, David Crosby, Jackson Brown, Abbie Hoffman, Bob Weir, Mama Cass, John Coltrane, Grace Slick, Jerry Garcia, Paul Krassner, Bill Graham, Tim Harden, Robin Williams, Viola Spolin, Pink Floyd and many more. Guests on this series include members of the Hog Farm, the Merry Pranksters, Grateful Dead Family, KMPX, The Committee, the Family Dog, the Medicine Ball Caravan, the Yippies and other counter culture institutions. Produced by Rainbow Valentine Studios, www.rainbowvalentine.com Read More
There aren’t very many original Beatniks left on planet earth and as of this w Read More
158
Documentary

Alabama Astronaut

Alabama Astronaut is a podcast featuring Alabama songwriter & artist Abe Partridge. Abe discovers a set of undocumented songs in the hills of the Appalachians, and believes they are undocumented because of the subject matter: lyrics that speak of the consumption of poison, and the handling of venomous snakes. These are the songs of the serpent handlers. To capture their music, Abe must first capture the hearts and the minds of the people who wrote it...and in the process, they capture his. Read More
Alabama Astronaut is a podcast featuring Alabama songwriter & artist Abe Par Read More
159
Documentary

True Stories with Seth Andrews

Inspired by the classic radio broadcasts of Paul Harvey, "True Stories" episodes are short vignettes (averaging five minutes in length) featuring strange, compelling, and entertaining human stories from our past and present.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-stories-with-seth-andrews--5621867/support.
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Inspired by the classic radio broadcasts of Paul Harvey, “True StoriesR Read More
160
Documentary

In Trust

A hundred and fifty years ago, the Osage Nation bought a stretch of prairie the size of Delaware, in what's now Oklahoma. The Osage owned the land and everything beneath it. Today, much of present-day Osage County has left Osage hands. In some cases, appropriation was swift and brutal: Dozens of Osages were murdered for their share of lucrative mineral rights to this oil-rich land, a period often referred to as the Reign of Terror. But other transfers of wealth played out more subtly—dollar by dollar and acre by acre, over decades—helped along by policies created by the US government.

Learn more and follow our listener guides at bloomberg.com/intrust.

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A hundred and fifty years ago, the Osage Nation bought a stretch of prairie the Read More
161
Documentary

Fat Leonard

It’s the most shocking unknown tale of our era: a defense contractor who bribed Navy officers with cash, prostitutes and luxury items in return for multi-million-dollar deals. Now, under arrest and battling cancer, ​Leonard Francis, AKA Fat Leonard, is angry, and he’s talking for the first time. His explosive story will change the way you look at the U.S. Navy forever. With exclusive access to Leonard Francis himself, Fat Leonard reveals the true story of the misogynistic men at the heart of the Navy and the brave women who brought them down. To access all episodes of the Fat Leonard podcast, subscribe to Brazen+ on Apple Podcasts, or on other podcast apps by visiting www.brazen.fm/plus. Subscribing will not only unlock Fat Leonard, but it’ll also give you early access to new Brazen shows, as well as ad-free listening and exclusive subscriber-only content across all podcasts in our network. For more, visit: www.fatleonardpodcast.com Fat Leonard is a Project Brazen production. For more fearless storytelling, search for the Brazen channel on Apple Podcasts or visit brazen.fm, home to all our podcasts, documentaries and newsletters. At Brazen, we show you how the world really works – from espionage and corruption to deal-making and organised crime, we’ll take you inside stories from hidden worlds. For the latest from Brazen delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters at brazen.fm/newsletters. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://brazen.fm/plus/ Read More
It’s the most shocking unknown tale of our era: a defense contractor who bribe Read More
162
Documentary

Hoaxed


Introducing... Hoaxed, the new series from Alexi Mostrous and Tortoise, who brought you Sweet Bobby.

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In 2014, two children told police a shocking story: that they were being abused by a Satanic cult; a cult headed by their father and by parents and teachers at their school in the wealthy London suburb of Hampstead. The story was a lie. But on the internet, that didn't matter. 



Hoaxed is an investigation into one of Britain's most serious-ever conspiracy theories. A story about a modern-day Satanic panic; about the victims whose lives were destroyed and about the conspiracists who spread the lie around the world. Oh, and it's about our hunt for the perpetrators - the people who forced the kids to lie - the ones who started it all. 



All 6 episodes are available now to listen for free. You can listen to the full series ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content by downloading the Tortoise audio app or subscribing to Tortoise+ on Apple podcasts. Or join Tortoise as a member, where you can access more of our reporting, live events and support our work. Just visit the Tortoise website and use the code Alexi50 for half price membership.


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

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Introducing… Hoaxed, the new series from Alexi Mostrous and Tortoise, who Read More
163
Documentary

Sisters of the Underground

Sisters of the Underground is an 8-episode scripted series by Executive Producers Eva Longoria and Dania Ramirez. It follows the true story of three courageous women, known as the Mirabal sisters, who changed the world. Their lifelong activism in the Dominican Republic and state-orchestrated assassination ignited outrage that led to the downfall of one of the most brutal and enduring dictators of the 20th Century, Rafael Trujillo (aka El Jefe). This series takes us back to a period when the Mirabal Sisters inspired an entire nation to emancipate themselves from a tyrannical regime that lasted for more than 30 years. While the martyrdom of the Mirabal Sisters is the stuff of legend in the DR, Sisters of the Underground brings these hidden figures to life for a global audience in a vivid, immersive, audio drama. 

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Sisters of the Underground is an 8-episode scripted series by Executive Producer Read More
164
Documentary

Crossing the Line

CROSSING THE LINE (CTLpod) is a verite’ style audio documentary series telling stories from the frontlines in the fight for reproductive freedom. The series follows individuals who seek abortion services and the heroes who help along the way. Each episode allows the listener to experience the numerous barriers faced and the ways people overcome them as the battle for abortion rights rages across the U.S. Visit CTLpod.com to find out more about the podcast, resources for abortion care, and information on how you can take action. Read More
CROSSING THE LINE (CTLpod) is a verite’ style audio documentary series telling Read More
165
Documentary

Choosing Life

Hosted by Michael Knowles, the Choosing Life podcast gives listeners a deeper understanding of the history of Abortion in the United States and some of the strongest arguments for the pro-life movement by releasing the full "uncut" interviews of the abortion survivors, pro-life advocates, and former abortion workers whose stories were featured in the Daily Wire's in-depth documentary "Choosing Death." Read More
Hosted by Michael Knowles, the Choosing Life podcast gives listeners a deeper un Read More
166
Documentary

Serum

A Black physician, his quest to cure AIDS, and the chase to find out what happened next.

A production of WHYY’s The Pulse and Local Trance Media. For more on Serum, subscribe to our newsletter: https://localtrance.substack.com/ Read More
A Black physician, his quest to cure AIDS, and the chase to find out what happen Read More
167
Documentary

The Commune

A 12-part documentary podcast about the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit ... In 2025, The Commune was chosen as an Apple Podcasts Series Essential. Read More
A 12-part documentary podcast about the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint Read More
168
Documentary

Bloody Angola: A Podcast by Jim Chapman

Bloody Angola features the complete history of Louisiana's most notorious prison. Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and beyond. Read More
Bloody Angola features the complete history of Louisiana’s most notorious Read More
169
Documentary

Bedrock, USA

Bedrock, USA is a podcast about political extremism, small town life and the fight for democracy, hosted by Laura Bliss, a reporter at Bloomberg CityLab. 

In a super-divided, pandemic-era America awash in conspiracies and misinformation, it’s about a group of people who didn’t like what they saw happening in their local governments, and decided to get involved - whether that meant holding a rally, running for office, recalling an official or storming their government with bullhorns and threats. 

Their stories show how far-right ideologies enter into local politics - sometimes quietly, other times at full volume - and what it takes for regular people to fight back. They show the beauty as well as the risks, struggles and pitfalls of being an active participant in democracy today. And together they create a human-level portrait of a democracy that is fracturing, and the role that extremist ideologies are playing. (And they’re not going away.)

Where do their stories point us as a country? 

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Bedrock, USA is a podcast about political extremism, small town life and the fig Read More
170
Documentary

Mysteries Decoded

From The CW Network, Mysteries Decoded dives deeper into the lore and history surrounding a variety of supernatural and scientific topics such as UFOs, ghosts, witches and vampires. Hosted and produced by Darcy Staniforth. Darcy Staniforth is an American Studies scholar, paranormal investigator, writer, and performer sought out for her expertise in popular culture, comedy, death, and unexplained phenomena. When not working with students both inside and outside of the classroom, she is a docent for the Kellogg House, a popular destination for historical ghost tours in Santa Ana, CA. TW/IG: @DarcyStaniforth Want more mysteries? Watch the Mysteries Decoded series on The CW! Read More
From The CW Network, Mysteries Decoded dives deeper into the lore and history su Read More
171
Documentary

RN Presents — The King Of Kowloon

He called himself the King of Kowloon and, for almost half a century, he used his misshapen Chinese characters to wage a calligraphic campaign claiming his dominion over Hong Kong. Journalist Louisa Lim grew up in Hong Kong, surrounded by traces of the king, who was first known as a crank, then an artist and finally a most unlikely icon. As she followed his trail, she uncovered a legacy of resistance, she found her city anew. Then she lost it forever. Read More
He called himself the King of Kowloon and, for almost half a century, he used hi Read More
172
Documentary

Hustle Rule: The Untold Stories of Women’s Soccer

From Santos, Brazil to Queens New York; from Lagos, Nigeria to Adelaide, Australia, we take you inside the lives of dreamers – of women’s soccer players willing to risk everything for a game. These are stories of far-flung adventures, of heartbreak, endurance, and joy – in unequal doses. HUSTLE RULE is about finding something you love and doing whatever it takes to keep it – no matter what. Hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Based on the book Under the Lights and in the Dark, by Gwendolyn Oxenham.

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From Santos, Brazil to Queens New York; from Lagos, Nigeria to Adelaide, Austral Read More
173
Documentary

Call Bethel

Brave whistleblowers. A trail of data. A secret system for dealing with allegations of child abuse. Follow the Telegraph's Investigations team on their year-long hunt into the Jehovah's Witnesses.

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

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Brave whistleblowers. A trail of data. A secret system for dealing with allegati Read More
174
Documentary

Memory Wars

Memory Wars is a six-part series about how Germany has confronted its horrific past and whether America could ever do the same. Public radio reporter Mallory Noe-Payne spent years covering policy and politics in Richmond, Virginia — the former capital of the Confederacy. Then she went to Germany.

Through a year of in-depth reporting featuring a wide range of characters, Noe-Payne reveals the struggles it takes for a society to change its narrative, face up to an uncomfortable past, and pave the way for atonement. Featuring conversations with Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Michael Paul Williams, Memory Wars explores the lessons in German history for American society today as we reckon with our own horrific past.

A production of RADIO IQ, distributed by PRX. You can show your appreciation for innovative projects like this by donating to this Virginia-based public radio station. Donating through this link helps support the podcast.

Credits:

Hosts Mallory Noe-Payne, Michael Paul Williams

Story Editing by Oluwakemi Aladesuyi, Additional Editing from Caitlin Pierce

Music by Sun Rain, sound design and mixing by Chad Skinner and Dani Ramez of Half Moon Audio.

Logo design by Ruth Tam

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Memory Wars is a six-part series about how Germany has confronted its horrific p Read More
175
Documentary

Allies

After 20 years of war, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ended in chaos at an airfield in Kabul. Thousands of Afghans who worked with the American soldiers as translators, interpreters and partners made it onto U.S. military planes. But despite the decades-long efforts of veterans, lawmakers and senior leaders in the military, even more were left behind. Now they live in hiding from the Taliban. 


From Lawfare and Goat Rodeo, this is Allies. A podcast about America’s eyes and ears over 20 years of war in Afghanistan. This show will take you from the frontlines of the war to the halls of Congress to find out: How did this happen?




For anyone needing help or advice relating to relocation and resettlement from Afghanistan, the independent Evacuate Our Allies Coalition staffs a operations center 7 days a week that can be reached at:


Email: evacuateourallies@gmail.com

Phone: +1 (213) 358-7953 (live Monday - Friday, 7am - 7pm PT; Saturday & Sunday 9am - 5pm PT)


More information on the Coalition is available at http://www.evacuateourallies.org.


Lawfare and Goat Rodeo are not part of the Coalition and cannot provide legal advice or referrals.


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

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After 20 years of war, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ended in chaos at an Read More