I found this podcast on Audible.com, and it’s included with my membership plan. Each episode focuses on modern-day scandals that have been misconstrued either by media or in the public imagination or memory. The two commentators, Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall, are 30-something millenials obsessed with pop culture. Their snarky commentary tickles me. Generally speaking, each episode involves educating the listener on research compiled by one of the hosts in regards to a popular a scandal. For instance, Sarah Marshall, who is obsessed with the Tonya Harding case, has read many articles on Tonya Harding as well as Tonya’s own book. Marshall then presents what she thinks are little-known pieces of info about the Harding/Kerrigan scandal of the 1990s.

Some criticize the hosts for not giving a more in-depth look at each case. However, I don’t go into each episode expecting a PhD-level dissertation. It’s mostly a talk show in which the hosts give their own viewpoints and cultural criticism, which is mixed in with some research on the topic.

Just a few of the episodes I’ve enjoyed so far are listed below:

—Tonya Harding. In this one, Sarah takes up for Tonya and basically says the part we got wrong is that Tonya was unfairly maligned due to people perceiving her as “white trash.”

—Kitty Genovese and “Bystander Apathy.” The hosts explain bystander apathy. They also discuss the 1964 New York Times article that unfairly blamed bystanders in New York for not acting upon witnessing a woman’s death.

—Dan Quayle and Murphy Brown. In this one, Marshall criticizes Dan Quayle for maligning Murphy Brown for having a baby out of wedlock.

—The Wardrobe Malfunction. Hobbes explains the scandal and fallout related to Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson’s boob to a television audience at the 2004 Super Bowl.

—Halloween Special! Ed Gein and Slasher Movies. Marshall presents her research on Ed Gein and explains how his story influenced the slasher genre of horror movies.

—Urban Legends Spectacular. The hosts discuss popular urban legends and how those legends are often linked to society’s own fears about crime and boogeymen.

—Jeffrey Dahmer. Show focuses on Dahmer’s crimes as well as mistakes in policing that allowed him to hide in plain sight.

The podcast usually presents a new issue every week or so. I look forward to more.