Episodes
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Larry Flynt might be a name you are familiar with; he's been featured in books, movies, and quite a few news stories over the past 4 decades.
Larry has had 5 wives, 5 children, and many, many businesses. His most infamous business being Hustler magazine which became famous for publishing erotic content others would not in the mainstream.
So, how did a poor, Eastern Kentucky farm boy become a millionaire pornography kingpin during the conservative times of 1970s American media? And how did that success lead to a failed assassination attempt on Larry, a Supreme Court win in the name of the 1st Amendment, and the death of his beloved wife Althea? Listen to the wild ride of Larry Flynt's life today on Controversial Figures.
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An Unseemly Man. My Life as Pornographer, Pundit, and Social Outcast. Larry Flynt. 1996. https://www.amazon.com/Unseemly-Man-Pornographer-Pundit-Outcast/dp/1597775762Jerry Falwell Sr. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Falwell_Sr.Joseph Paul Franklin. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Paul_FranklinLarry Flynt. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_FlyntLarry Flynt and 1968. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/1968-project/2018/07/13/larry-flynt-and-1968-making-pornography-empire/771604002/The People vs Larry Flynt. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_People_vs._Larry_FlyntMusic: The 6 is Silent by SkyjellySupport the show -
Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired many during her 87 years of life, and certainly during her 27 years serving as a justice on the US Supreme Court, the 2nd woman to ever do so in America.
Ruth was strong in her values and the absolute definition of grit. She would be notably dubbed "The Notorious R.B.G." by a law student via a popular Tumblr page, and named on Forbes magazine's list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, and Time magazine's 100 most influential People.
So, how did Ruth break through multiple glass ceilings for men and women in her lifetime and what legacy does she leave behind? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
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A Look Back at Some of RBGs Biggest Achievements. Breeze JMU. https://www.breezejmu.org/culture/a-look-back-at-some-of-rbgs-biggest-achievements/article_5543fa14-0124-11eb-80fe-1f6d6eceaf7b.htmlHow to Remember the 'Notorious RBG'. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/24/opinions/ruth-bader-ginsburg-notorious-rbg-deeper-meaning-joseph/index.htmlRBG. Documentary. Magnolia Pictures. 2018. https://www.rbgmovie.comRuth Bader Ginsburg. https://achievement.org/achiever/ruth-bader-ginsburg/Ruth Bader Ginsburg apologizes to Colin Kaepernick. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/14/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-apologizes-colin-kaepernick/index.htmlRuth Bader Ginsburg Fast Facts. https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/ruth-bader-ginsburg-fast-facts/index.htmlRuth Bader Ginsburg on Kaepernick protests. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-colin-kaepernick/index.htmlRuth Bader Ginsburg. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bader_GinsburgRuth Bader Ginsburg Wishes This Case Had Legalized Abortion Instead of Roe v. Wade https://time.com/5354490/ruth-bader-ginsburg-roe-v-wade/Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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We start Part 2 of the Julian Assange story with many questions. Will Julian Assange evade extradition and his numerous looming legal charges? Did Julian assist Russia with illegal United States Presidential election interference in 2016? Did Julian help Edward Snowden escape capture by the United States? And maybe most controversially - did Julian really date Pamela Anderson? Find out all of this and much, much more on the Part 2 of wild and crazy Julian Assange today on Controversial Figures.
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CNN. Sweden drops investigation into Julian Assange. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/europe/sweden-investigation-julian-assange-intl/index.htmlMarketWatch Hillary Clinton Says Julian Assange has to Answer https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hillary-clinton-says-julian-assange-has-to-answer-for-what-he-has-done-2019-04-12Risk. Showtime Movie. 2016. Risk | Official Trailer | Julian Assange SHOWTIME DocumentarySchneier on Security. Unredacted US Diplomatic Wikileaks Cables Published https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2011/09/unredacted_us_d.htmlWikipedia Hillary Clinton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_ClintonWikipedia Julian Assange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_AssangeWikipedia Vault 7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vault_7Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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How did Julian Assange, a convicted Australian teenage hacker of the 1990s, become a secret revealing refugee on the run, attempting to evade extradition? Why did America to investigate if he broke the espionage act? And did Julian really hang out with Lady Gaga in London? Find out all of this and more on Part 1 of Julian Assange today on Controversial Figures.
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Independent. Julian Assange - https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/julian-assange-we-just-kept-moving-2359423.htmlWikileaks Press Release Regarding Julian Assange's Case Management Hearing https://wikileaks.org/Julian-Assange-Case-Hearing.htmlWikipedia Afghan War documents leak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_War_documents_leakWikipedia Iraqi War documents leak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War_documents_leakWikipedia Indictment and Arrest of Julian Assange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictment_and_arrest_of_Julian_AssangeWikipedia Julian Assange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_AssangeWikipedia Torture Memos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture_MemosWikipedia United States diplomatic cables leak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_diplomatic_cables_leakMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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How did activist atheist and Most Hated Woman in America Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her family end up dismembered, burned, and buried? Find out today on Controversial Figures.
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My San Antonio. The True Story Behind the San Antonio Kidnapping and Murder. https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/true-crime-SA-kidnapping-murder-Madalyn-OHair-11017782.phpNewsweek Madalyn Murray O'Hair Biopic https://www.newsweek.com/madalyn-murray-ohair-most-hated-woman-america-netflix-atheism-biopic-574697NYT. Bodies Identified as Those of Missing Athiest and Kin. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/16/us/bodies-identified-as-those-of-missing-atheist-and-kin.htmlWikipedia Madalyn Murray O'Hair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O%27HairMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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American business man Lou Pearlman created some of the biggest boy bands in the 1990s, including NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, O Town, and LFO to name a few. Lou even called himself the 6th Backstreet Boy. These bands were performing to sold out concerts while selling merch and hundreds of millions of albums to screaming fans around the world.
It was estimated that Lou Pearlman's peak net worth was $300 million during the boy band craze era in the 1990s and early 2000s. So how did Lou end up $300 million dollars in debt in 2006 and sentenced to 25 years of prison in 2008? Find out this and lots of other random boy band trivia today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
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ABC News. The Hitman: From Pop to Prison The Hitman: From Pop to Prison l 20/20 l PART 1Vanity Fair. Mad About the Boys https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/11/pearlman200711Wikipedia Bye Bye Bye https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bye_Bye_ByeWikipedia *NSYNC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSYNCWikipedia Photo Mill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_millWikipedia The Backstreet Boys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstreet_BoysWikipedia Lou Pearlman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_PearlmanMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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As we discussed in the previous episode of Controversial Figures, American Lance Armstrong had just announced his 2nd retirement in 2011 at the age of 33. This was after winning a record breaking seven consecutive Tour de France races as a recent cancer survivor, and having only recently returned from his previous retirement. It was a shock that such a talented and successful athlete would suddenly announce his retirement.
But the revelations that would occur soon after Lance's retirement would be even more shocking. And would explain his abrupt departure.
Today, if you look at Lance Armstrong's Wikipedia page, under Career Achievements, there is a hidden section labeled "Voided results from August 1998 onward". When the hidden section is expanded, it shows the more than 40 professional cycling races Lance Armstrong no longer has credited to his name. Let's get into what lead to Lance losing all of his achievements from 1998 to 2010 and his complete ban from the sport of cycling on part 2 of the Lance Armstrong episode today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
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CNN Lance Armstrong's Demise https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/sport/lance-armstrong-profile-cycling-usada/index.htmlESPN The Rise and Fall of Lance Armstrong https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/29177242/the-rise-fall-lance-armstrong-need-know-watching-lanceESPN 'LANCE' Documentary https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/29209116/lance-part-1-how-watch-stream-espn-lance-armstrong-documentaryThe Guardian. Lance Armstrong's Doping Denials in Quotes. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/18/lance-armstrong-doping-denials-quotesWikipedia Floyd Landis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_LandisWikipedia Icarus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IcarusWikipedia Lance Armstrong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_ArmstrongWikipedia Michele Ferrari https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_FerrariMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Lance Armstrong was regarded as an elite cycling superstar. Between the years of 1999 to 2005, Lance had obtained seven consecutive Tour de France wins - something no one has ever achieved before, or since. He was considered by many to be the best athlete in his sport at the time.
And even more stunning? Just 2 years prior to first of these consecutive wins, Lance had been diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain; and not only did Lance survive, but seemingly thrived post treatment.
He went on to create the Lance Armstrong Foundation - raising hundreds of millions of dollars from the sale of yellow Livestrong bracelets. Those little yellow bracelets became a ubiquitous feature on the wrists of many in America and around the world for cancer awareness and in support of the Texan hometown hero, Lance Armstrong.
So, how would Lance, only a few years later, become stripped of all of his achievements from August 1998 onward, including his seven Tour de France titles….and be labeled as a disgrace in the sports world? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
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Episode Sources:
CNN Lance Armstrong's Demise https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/sport/lance-armstrong-profile-cycling-usada/index.htmlESPN The Rise and Fall of Lance Armstrong https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/29177242/the-rise-fall-lance-armstrong-need-know-watching-lanceESPN 'LANCE' Documentary https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/29209116/lance-part-1-how-watch-stream-espn-lance-armstrong-documentaryWikipedia Lance Armstrong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_ArmstrongWikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_FerrariMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Belle Gibson was followed and endorsed by holistic medicine practitioners, food as medicine believers, and cancer survivors alike. Belle had created the wildly popular The Whole Pantry blog describing how she had cured herself of multiple cancers.
It was estimated Belle and her company were worth millions. So how did Belle become worth exactly $0 in 2015? And where is Belle today? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
Amazon The Whole Pantry Book https://www.amazon.com/The-Whole-Pantry/dp/0718180410BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41423491
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Episode Sources:
Brisbane Times https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/what-we-haven-t-learned-from-belle-gibson-20200126-p53utm.htmlDonelly, Beau and Nick Toscano, The Woman Who Fooled the World: Belle Gibson's Cancer Con, and the Darkness at the Heart of the Wellness Industry, 2017. Health Goop Jade Egg Suit https://www.health.com/condition/sexual-health/jade-egg-goopNews AU https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/belle-gibson-has-been-adopted-by-ethiopian-community-in-melbourne/news-story/faef622ee9d2b5bee4e4a9518420c315The Guardian Articles
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/20/cancer-con-artist-belle-gibson-cries-while-in-court-over-unpaid-410000-fine
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/17/cancer-con-artist-belle-gibson-to-face-court-over-failure-to-pay-410000-penaltyWikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Gibson Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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By his early 30s, Martin Shkreli had held a variety of impressive roles; he was the co-founder of multiple successful hedge funds, CEO of biotechnology firm Retrophin; and founder and CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals. So, how did young Martin Shkreli, with no formal training in chemistry and a Bachelor's Degree in business administration, become a pharmaceutical CEO and have an estimated worth by Fortune magazine in 2016 of $45 million?
And how did Martin Shkreli only a few years later become a convicted felon worth practically nothing; referred to by the media as "Pharma Bro" and "the most hated man in America"?
And whatever happened to that unreleased Wu Tang Clan Album Martin Shkreli bought for $2 million? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/07/retrophin-paid-martin-shkreli-to-settle-all-legal-claims.htmlNetFlix Dirty Money, Drug Short episodeVanity Fair https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/12/martin-shkreli-pharmaceuticals-ceo-interviewWikipediaMartin Shkreli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_ShkreliNaked Short Sell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_short_sellingOnce Upon a Time in Shaolin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_in_ShaolinXconomy https://xconomy.com/san-diego/2019/08/22/retrophin-sinks-as-drug-pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-co-invented-fails/ Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Oscar Pistorius was an inspiration to many. Born without his lower legs, Oscar would later in life become the tenth athlete in history to compete at both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games in the same year. Oscar was honored in Time Magazine's 100 list of most influential people, appeared on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, and had sponsorship deals worth $2 million. So how would it come to be that only months later, Oscar Pistorius would be on trial for murder, with that trial ultimately going to the Supreme Court? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
Amazon Prime Pistorius https://www.amazon.com/Pistorius-Season-1/dp/B07G1Y3R1CBBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29777703Wikipedia Oscar Pistorius https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Pistoriushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Pistorius Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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In 2015, Forbes magazine named Elizabeth Holmes the youngest self-made female billionaire in America. She was the enigmatic founder and majority owner of consumer healthcare technology company Theranos; a company valued at near $10 billion and backed by distinguished figures such as Henry Kissinger. So, how did it come to be that Elizabeth and her company would be worth essentially nothing only 1 year later and facing criminal charges? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/theranos-founder-ceo-elizabeth-holmes-life-story-bio-2018-4HBO Documentary The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley https://play.hbogo.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GXGWJ8wyZ-K2uAwEAAAAK?camp=Search&play=trueUSA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/07/05/theranos-elizabeth-holmes-lawsuits-patients-harm-arizona/742008002/Wikipedia Elizabeth Holmes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_HolmesWikipedia Theranos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheranosMusic: The 6 is Silent by SkyjellyBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
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Tania Head was known for widely sharing her harrowing September 11, 2001 survival story. As she'd explain it, she was on the 78th floor of the south tower when the World Trade Center building was hit by the second plane, making her one of only nineteen people at or above the point of plane impact to have survived. Tania was also known for her tireless efforts running the World Trade Center Survivor's Network, supporting others affected by the attacks. So, why after only a few years of leading the group, would an anonymous email from Spain be sent to the Survivor's Network claiming Tania had committed suicide? And where was Tania, was she ok? Find out more today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
Michael Daly (September 7, 2006). "An Amazing Woman & Her Smile". New York Daily News. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1696977/postsThe Woman Who Wasn't There, 2012 Film and BookWikipedia Alicia Esteve Head https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicia_Esteve_HeadMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Young Gypsy Blanchard was very ill. According to her mother Dee Dee, Gypsy suffered from leukemia, asthma, muscular dystrophy, and had the "mental capacity of a 7-year-old". Gypsy was restricted to a wheelchair with a feeding tube providing her nourishment. Gypsy's prognosis was so grim, she and her mother received life changing help from notable charities. So, how did Gypsy Rose end up walking on her own 2 legs into jail after aiding in the savage killing of her own mother? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
ABC network 20/20 episode "The Story of Gypsy Blanchard"Biography article https://www.biography.com/news/gypsy-rose-blanchard-mother-dee-dee-murderMovie HBO Mommy Dead and Dearest, 2017Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Dee_Dee_BlanchardMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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American Edward Snowden has been living on the lam for over 7 years in foreign countries, attempting to escape international and domestic espionage and property theft charges filed against him in 2013 by the United States of America. How did a professed patriot at heart and former Army private with the highest levels of security clearance end up as America's Number 1 Enemy? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast.
Permanent Record, Author Edward Snowden, New York : Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt and Company, 2019Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_SnowdenMusic: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Welcome to Controversial Figures; a podcast about intriguing figures in the media. Created by Tammy Hawkins. This is the introduction for the first episode of Controversial Figures in which we will cover Edward Snowden. The full episode will be released in coming days.
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