Strange News: El Niño, Robots in the Ring, Library Books, Shatner, Toys'R'Us, Germany, and Inconvenience Stores

Experts raise growing concerns about El Niño. An overdue library magazine is returned more than 130 years late. The rise of the far right in Germany echoes a global pattern. Toy'R'Us is back. William Shatner does metal. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you visited the Darién Gap? Ever been upset about javelina chomping around on your golf course, or wondered why thousands of people across the Midwest suddenly got explosive diarrhea? Nature is amazing -- and it's no secret that much of the Great Outdoors is in trouble. Big businesses, corrupt politicians, and a collapsing climate have all combined to endanger public lands. In tonight's interview, Ben and Matt welcome investigative journalist, author, and activist Dr. James Stout, the creator of the hit podcast Natural Causes, to learn more about the world outside.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the authors of horror stories, haunting isn't just for houses. In countless works of fiction, all sorts of objects can become to a spirit -- and, over the centuries, countless people have sworn they encountered a haunted object in real life. Today's episode asks whether an object can be haunted... and the ultimate answer may not be what you expect.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Denmark and the United States have allegedly reached an "agreement" regarding the fate of Greenland, the world is still deeply concerned that Uncle Sam may take economic or military action to gain full control over the world's largest island. In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt, and Dylan investigate why the US seems so set on annexation... and why the official statements may be a cover for secret, less noble motivations.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In tonight's Classic episode: It's a match for the ages. Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, boxing heavyweight champions in their own right, will soon vie for the title of the world's undisputed boxing champion. Irish native and current Dubai resident Daniel Kinahan has a life-long love of boxing -- and, according to Irish authorities, he is the heir to a criminal empire stretching from Dublin to Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and beyond. Recently, Fury set off a firestorm of speculation when he thanked Kinahan for brokering the fight. In today's episode, Ben and Matt dive into the world of Irish organized crime, the sport, science and art of boxing, all to ask: Is there Something They Don't Want You To Know?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States officially confirms they have active weapons in space... but they're not saying exactly what these weapons are, or what they can do. Archaeologists have discovered the world's oldest evidence of habitual drug use. An athlete apologies for pooping like crazy during an event. FBI Director Kash Patel goes to D.C. to defend the FBI's new (bizarrely relaxed) hiring practices. Join Ben and Noel for all this and more in this week's strange news segment.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's be honest: most Americans aren't super familiar with Greenland, and even fewer have actually traveled there. Located far north in the Arctic, the world's largest island has historically been seen as remote, inaccessible, and brutal. So a ton of people were surprised when the United States asked -- then threatened -- to take it over. In the first chapter of this special two-part episode, Ben and Matt explore why Greenland has suddenly become the hottest real estate on the planet... and whether there's a conspiracy afoot.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jai Shree RĀM hips the guys to the bizarre -- and possibly terrifying -- technology of 'smart dust'. Duke Nukem shares his first-hand experience with strange events in a missile facility. Weshiwan follows up on the recent Charlie Kirk episodes. Also, congratulations to Megatron on the pineapple. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In mere hours after the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10th, 2025, conspiracy theories metastasized across the internet net. Within 33 hours, authorities claimed they had captured the assassin, and began to map out a timeline of the murder. However, a lot of people weren't buying the official explanation. Add to this, multiple people who were not involved faced serious reprecussions for airing their opinions about the murder, or about Kirk himself, in the public sphere. Despite these crackdowns, the number of folks who don't believe the official story is only growing. In the second chapter of this two-part series, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore the questions surrounding Kirk's assassination, and whether there is a conspiracy afoot. If so... why?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In tonight's Classic episode: a new player has entered the strange, often confusing world of Bitcoin -- the non-fungible token, or NFT. This digital token, which can be virtually anything, is technically unique. It's a one-of-a-kind thing existing in an entirely intangible state. Numerous artists, musicians and celebrities have sold NFTs for thousands of dollars, but critics allege this may be anything from a fad to an outright avenue for criminal enterprise. So what exactly is the Stuff They Don't Want You To Know about NFTs? Is this a digital revolution, or another case of The Emperor's New Clothes?They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.