Very Special Episodes

• Who Really Wrote the Pledge of Allegiance? [Re-Release]

  Although American schoolchildren still recite The Pledge every morning in nearly every classroom, we still aren't sure who actually wrote it. And all these years later, the long-accepted story is showing some cracks. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editor is Aaron EdwardsResearch and Fact-Checking by Austin Thompson and Dave RoosOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English We'll be back with a new episode next Wednesday! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• JFK's Forgotten Summer in Journalism (with Rob Reiner)

  Eighty years ago this summer, a young John F. Kennedy took a job as a journalist for Hearst newspapers, filing dispatches in the final days of World War II. His columns capture the mood of a changing world. Even the most seasoned JFK scholars often overlook this chapter. In today's extra special Very Special Episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Fred Logevall and legendary director Rob Reiner join us to explore the forgotten summer that helped shape Kennedy's worldview. * Check out Fred Logevall's excellent book: JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century. Listen to Who Killed JFK? from Rob Reiner and Soledad O'Brien wherever you get your podcasts. And go see Spinal Tap II: The End Continues in theaters this September! And thanks to our JFK voice actor, Tom Antonellis, for nailing another role. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe PompeoProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherAdditional Editing by Mary DooeMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherResearch and Fact-Checking by Joe Pompeo and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Richard Nixon's Alien Adventure

  Jackie Gleason of The Honeymooners was obsessed with UFOs. Obsessed! Lucky for him, his golfing buddy just happened to be the leader of the free world — with access to a secret facility in Florida that Gleason said held all the answers he'd been seeking. * Hosted by Zaron Burnett, Dana Schwartz, and Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Josh FisherAdditional Editing by Mary DooeVoice Actors are Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, Josh Fisher, and Jonathan WashingtonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Got a question or comment, or an even weirder Nixon legend we should chase down? You can reach us at [email protected]. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Hemidemisemiquaver: A Modern Quiz Show Scandal

  In 2009, a 10-year-old from Arizona flew to Los Angeles to compete on a new game show offering child prodigies the chance to win $500,000. But almost immediately, he could tell something was off. The experience had a profound impact on his life — and confounds legal scholars to this day. Plus Dana takes us behind the scenes of her appearance on Jeopardy!, and Jason explains how his two-year-old daughter wound up answering trivia questions on The Rachael Ray Show. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan WashingtonMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierAdditional Editing by Mary DooeResearch and Fact-Checking by Jake Rossen and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Got a question or comment, or want to invite Zaron to compete on your game show? You can reach us at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Big Bird Goes to China

  During one of the most delicate periods for international relations, the United States sent Bob Hope to China with the ultimate wingman. Together, the two icons would play an unexpected role in bridging a massive cultural divide. * Very Special Thanks to our translator, Yixio Ren! Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dylan HeuerProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierStory Editor is Aaron EdwardsAdditional Editing by Mary DooeResearch and Fact-Checking by Dylan Heuer, Aaron Edwards, and Austin ThompsonOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English You can email the show at [email protected]. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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