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Narrated by Steve Buscemi, this is the story of Gosnell Duncan and the silicone dildo. After suffering a work-related accident, Caribbean-born Gosnell Duncan was paralyzed from the waist down. An engineer by trade, and determined not to let his disability come between him and the love of his life, Angela, Gosnell poured his knowledge and energy into crafting a new invention from his Brooklyn basement: the world’s first silicone dildo. His invention was intended for others too; specifically, he sought to bring pleasure to people with disabilities. Letters would come from all over the country with specific requests for his custom-made sex toys - letters telling Gosnell intimate secrets and hoping he could help. Despite many obstacles — including laws that could send him to prison just for advertising his products — Gosnell changed the world, one dick at a time. This story brings overdue recognition for an inventor like no other.

Journalist: Hallie Lieberman

Voice: Steve Buscemi

Production: Christopher Hooton

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When small-time money counterfeiter Edward L. Montoro nearly dies in a plane crash, he decides to reinvent himself as a filmmaker. It's the late 1970s, the dawn of the age of the blockbuster, and Montoro pioneers the "mockbuster"—knock-off productions that capitalize on the popularity of mainstream Hollywood films. But as his little studio attracts the wrath of the movie industry, Montoro makes a desperate decision, sparking one of the great unsolved mysteries in cinematic history.

JOURNALIST: SHAUN RAVIV

EDITING: THOMAS CURRY

SOUND-DESIGN & AUDIO MIX: ALICE BOYD

VOICE: ERIC JASON MARTIN

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Chicago in the summer of '97, and criminal defense attorney Kathleen Zellner (of Making a Murderer fame) is feeling worn out. After once defending a serial killer, she promised herself never to defend a guilty person again, and has devoted her life to exonerating the innocent. But after years of gruesome murder trials, she needs a holiday. When a lemon-yellow stretch Cadillac bounces into her parking lot, and out hops a five-foot-tall, 77-year-old man named Ben Perri, that holiday arrives. Ben has been accused of a bizarre crime: the theft of hundreds of ultra-rare Beanie Babies from the manufacturer's secret warehouse. With Beanie Baby mania in full swing, the toys are fetching stratospheric prices, and Ben will gladly hook you up with an elusive Digger the Crab or Radar the Bat. The press calls him the Beanie Baby Bandit, but he swears he's innocent. As this jovial grandfather and veteran charms Kathleen and her team, his carefree way of life gives her a new outlook on the difficult job she's chosen. But still, she can't quite answer whether he's guilty, and whether she's broken her promise to herself. Is Ben just an innocent lover of toys, or is he really the Beanie Baby Bandit?

JOURNALIST: SERENA COADY

EDITING: THOMAS CURRY

SOUND-DESIGN & AUDIO MIX: ALICE BOYD

VOICE: JILL WINTERNITZ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This story contains potentially triggering subjects, including suicide, homophobia, physical violence, and misgendering.

In 2015, an exceptional trial took place in Jerusalem. The body of transgender activist and beloved community leader May Peleg was held in police custody. May’s request was that her ashes be divided in two: one half scattered into the sea, the other at the roots of an Illawarra Flame tree, a fiery red tree with both male and female blossoms. Meanwhile, her mother petitioned the courts, intending to ignore May’s wishes and bury her in a traditional way, under the male name given to her at birth. This is a story inspired by her life and her legacy.

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also call the Trevor Project’s free confidential suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth at 1-866-488-7386. These programs provide free, confidential support 24/7.

Writers: Rachel Chaya Zisser & Samantha Newton

Journalist: Naomi Zeveloff

Voices: Muriel Naim & Roey Victoria Heifetz

Audio and Original Music: Kyle Feehan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1943. While World War II rages, a different kind of battle takes over a British village in Lancashire where US troops are stationed. Throughout their service, Black American troops had faced daily bigotry and racism from their own countrymen. One night, the tension erupts into violence and the sleepy, unremarkable village of Bamber Bridge becomes a battleground between two Americas.

This story contains explicit language and racial slurs. Listener discretion is advised.

Inspired by true events.

Writer: Brianna Porter

Journalist: Ian Leslie

Voice: Gregory Holmes Jr

Production: Christopher Hooton

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.