Controversial Figures
Tammy Hawkins
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Top 10 Controversial Figures Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Controversial Figures episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Controversial Figures for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Controversial Figures episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Episode 1: Edward Snowden (NSA Whistleblower)
Controversial Figures
05/25/20 • 11 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- Permanent Record, Author Edward Snowden, New York : Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt and Company, 2019
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Snowden
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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TEASER: Edward Snowden - Controversial Figures Introduction
Controversial Figures
05/24/20 • 0 min
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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Episode 6: Belle Gibson (Cancer Wellness Scammer)
Controversial Figures
06/28/20 • 43 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- Amazon The Whole Pantry Book https://www.amazon.com/The-Whole-Pantry/dp/0718180410
- BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41423491
Brisbane Times https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/what-we-haven-t-learned-from-belle-gibson-20200126-p53utm.html - Donelly, 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-goop
- News AU https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/belle-gibson-has-been-adopted-by-ethiopian-community-in-melbourne/news-story/faef622ee9d2b5bee4e4a9518420c315
- The 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-penalty - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Gibson
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Episode 2: Gypsy Blanchard (Munchausen Victim)
Controversial Figures
05/31/20 • 17 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources
- ABC network 20/20 episode "The Story of Gypsy Blanchard"
- Biography article https://www.biography.com/news/gypsy-rose-blanchard-mother-dee-dee-murder
- Movie HBO Mommy Dead and Dearest, 2017
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Dee_Dee_Blanchard
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Episode 13: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (The Notorious RBG)
Controversial Figures
10/16/20 • 41 min
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
Episode Sources:
- 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.html
- How to Remember the 'Notorious RBG'. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/24/opinions/ruth-bader-ginsburg-notorious-rbg-deeper-meaning-joseph/index.html
- RBG. Documentary. Magnolia Pictures. 2018. https://www.rbgmovie.com
- Ruth 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.html
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fast Facts. https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/ruth-bader-ginsburg-fast-facts/index.html
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Kaepernick protests. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-colin-kaepernick/index.html
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg
- Ruth 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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Episode 14: Larry Flynt Part 1 (Freedom of Speech Defender & Erotic Entertainment Purveyor)
Controversial Figures
12/01/20 • 46 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- An Unseemly Man. My Life as Pornographer, Pundit, and Social Outcast. Larry Flynt. 1996. https://www.amazon.com/Unseemly-Man-Pornographer-Pundit-Outcast/dp/1597775762
- Jerry Falwell Sr. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Falwell_Sr.
- Joseph Paul Franklin. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Paul_Franklin
- Larry Flynt. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Flynt
- Larry 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_Flynt
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
Episode 12: Julian Assange Part 2 (Hacker Interrupted)
Controversial Figures
09/20/20 • 41 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- CNN. Sweden drops investigation into Julian Assange. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/europe/sweden-investigation-julian-assange-intl/index.html
- MarketWatch 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-2019-04-12
- Risk. Showtime Movie. 2016. Risk | Official Trailer | Julian Assange SHOWTIME Documentary
- Schneier on Security. Unredacted US Diplomatic Wikileaks Cables Published https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2011/09/unredacted_us_d.html
- Wikipedia Hillary Clinton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton
- Wikipedia Julian Assange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange
- Wikipedia Vault 7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vault_7
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Episode 11: Julian Assange Part 1 (Robinhood of Hacking?)
Controversial Figures
09/04/20 • 32 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- Independent. Julian Assange - https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/julian-assange-we-just-kept-moving-2359423.html
- Wikileaks Press Release Regarding Julian Assange's Case Management Hearing https://wikileaks.org/Julian-Assange-Case-Hearing.html
- Wikipedia Afghan War documents leak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_War_documents_leak
- Wikipedia Iraqi War documents leak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War_documents_leak
- Wikipedia Indictment and Arrest of Julian Assange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictment_and_arrest_of_Julian_Assange
- Wikipedia Julian Assange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange
- Wikipedia Torture Memos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture_Memos
- Wikipedia United States diplomatic cables leak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_diplomatic_cables_leak
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Episode 10: Madalyn Murray O'Hair (The Most Hated Woman in America)
Controversial Figures
08/23/20 • 29 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- 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.php
- Newsweek Madalyn Murray O'Hair Biopic https://www.newsweek.com/madalyn-murray-ohair-most-hated-woman-america-netflix-atheism-biopic-574697
- NYT. 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.html
- Wikipedia Madalyn Murray O'Hair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O%27Hair
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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Episode 9: Lou Pearlman (Back Street Boy and NSYNC Defrauder)
Controversial Figures
08/09/20 • 41 min
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.
Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast
Episode Sources:
- ABC News. The Hitman: From Pop to Prison The Hitman: From Pop to Prison l 20/20 l PART 1
- Vanity Fair. Mad About the Boys https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/11/pearlman200711
- Wikipedia Bye Bye Bye https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bye_Bye_Bye
- Wikipedia *NSYNC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSYNC
- Wikipedia Photo Mill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_mill
- Wikipedia The Backstreet Boys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstreet_Boys
- Wikipedia Lou Pearlman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Pearlman
- Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly
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FAQ
How many episodes does Controversial Figures have?
Controversial Figures currently has 16 episodes available.
What topics does Controversial Figures cover?
The podcast is about News, Security, True Crime, Media, Entertainment News, Psychology, Celebrity, Controversial, Con Artist, Celebrities, Entertainment, Podcast, Podcasts, Scandal, Hacker and Politics.
What is the most popular episode on Controversial Figures?
The episode title 'Episode 14: Larry Flynt Part 1 (Freedom of Speech Defender & Erotic Entertainment Purveyor)' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Controversial Figures?
The average episode length on Controversial Figures is 29 minutes.
How often are episodes of Controversial Figures released?
Episodes of Controversial Figures are typically released every 7 days, 13 hours.
When was the first episode of Controversial Figures?
The first episode of Controversial Figures was released on May 24, 2020.
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