SNAFU with Ed Helms

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From Business History: How E.T. The Extra-Terresterial Destroyed Atari Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

I’m taking a break to share an episode of another podcast I think you’ll enjoy, Business History. Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the archives of commerce. They share why some company stocks soar, while other business ideas crash, and explore the ideas that shaped our economy—and the lessons behind their success and failure.

Today’s episode: how E.T. brought down Atari. Fueled by hot tubs, recreational drugs, and a love of games, Nolan Bushnell took computer games out of research labs and into bars, launching an industry. Bushnell and his engineers were pushed aside as Atari expanded and, in a desperate bid to cash in on Hollywood hype, the company concocted a wild plan for a game based on Steven Spielberg's hit, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The game tanked...and brought Atari down with it.

Find Business History, on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.

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Lord Dunmore and the Proclamation That Ignited Revolution (with Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers) Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Bob Crawford is a musician with a historian's heart. Bassist and founding member of The Avett Brothers, his expertise on the Founding Fathers of the United States comes in handy on today's SNAFU, where Ed and Bob delve into the folly of Lord Dunmore, a Scottish-born supporter of the King and assigned royal Governor of Virginia in the 1770s. When whispers of revolution were building to an insurmountable roar, Lord Dunmore inadvertently mobilized the revolutionary war cries with one massive misstep after another.

Watch this week's episode on the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPod

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Live at LA Talks with Tig Notaro Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Today is another SNAFU treat from the book tour archives! Tig Notaro joins Ed live on stage at Live Talks Los Angeles, where they break down Ed's book, SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History's Greatest Screwups. Tig also roasts Ed like a campfire marshmallow, which will indeed leave you asking for "S'more."

Find your copy of the New York Times Bestseller wherever you get your books, or go to: www.snafu-book.com

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Ivan Boesky: The Wall Street Legend Who Crashed and Burned (with Rory Scovel) Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Rory Scovel is a man of opulence. But he won't let greed go to his head like the subject of today's SNAFU. Ed and Rory discuss a modern Wall Street legend: the story of Ivan Boesky, a wall street trader who turned Arbitrage into front page headlines, until it all came crashing down.
Subscribe to the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPod
Buy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.com

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What Went Wrong on the Hindenburg Luxury Airship (with Chelsea Handler) Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Chelsea Handler is a world traveler. Ed and Chelsea discover whether they're cut out for luxury Air Travel of the 1930's; the catch being it's aboard the infamous Hindenburg Zeppelin. Oh, the Humanity!
And watch this week's episode on the SNAFU YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@SNAFUPod
Buy the SNAFU book: www.snafu-book.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air Transat Flight 236: The Azores Glider That Ran Dry (with Adam Scott) Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Adam Scott is fearless. Ed and Adam explore a high-flying SNAFU that showcased just how valiant pilots must be when the engines run dry...literally. This is the tale of the Azores Glider, a complimentary mid-flight snack of FEAR at 30,000 feet.