The Truth Tank

This is episode 121 of The Truth TankIn this episode we take a look at Primetime, a film inspired by the rise of Chris Hansen and the phenomenon that was To Catch a Predator.Part 1 – Primetime: The ReviewWe examine the film's striking visual style, from its unusual square aspect ratio to its VHS-inspired cinematography, which captures the chaotic atmosphere of early 2000s live television.The story follows aspiring actor Dan, who lands an audition for a mysterious role, only to find himself thrown into the bizarre world of Chris Hansen and the production of To Catch a Predator. As the show gains popularity, the pressure to deliver bigger stories and more dramatic catches begins to take its toll. Rival networks, ambitious producers, hidden secrets and an increasingly dangerous investigation all collide, leading to a dramatic chain of events that threatens to bring the whole operation crashing down.Part 2 – Chris Hansen: The Rise and Fall of To Catch a PredatorWe leave the film behind and look at the real story. Exploring the origins and meteoric rise of To Catch a Predator, we examine the show's cultural impact, the praise and criticism it attracted, and the controversial Texas investigation involving Bill Conradt that ultimately helped bring the series to an end.We also look at what happened to Chris Hansen after the show, the scandals and personal difficulties that followed, and what became of his career after the Predator phenomenon.Finally, we ask the bigger question: did To Catch a Predator actually make a difference, and what is its legacy today?Truth to Tell.Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpSources:https://www.themarshallproject.org/2017/01/22/the-return-of-to-catch-a-predator?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-nov-13-na-sting13-story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.plainsite.org/courts/new-york-southern-district-court/conradt-v-nbc-universal-inc/4gm0bicz/2nk5z3b2a/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://abcnews.com/Blotter/story?id=5238922&page=1&utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://abcnews.com/Blotter/story?id=4353781&utm_source=chatgpt.com

This is episode 120 of The Truth Tank I’m joined on this episode by Larry Katzen, a former regional partner at Arthur Andersen and one of the minds behind the 85,000 podcast. Larry joins me to challenge what we think we know about Arthur Andersen, Enron, and one of the biggest corporate scandals in American history.We discuss his podcast, his book And You Thought Accountants Were Boring, his personal experiences working at Arthur Andersen, and the Enron scandal that ultimately brought the firm down.From Enron’s founding and early success to its move to Houston, its relationships with government, the use of special purpose entities (SPEs), and the company’s spectacular collapse, Larry takes us through the events that shook corporate America. We also examine the aftermath, including the investigation and prosecution of Arthur Andersen.Larry shares his experiences as a regional partner in the American Midwest, personal stories from those affected by the firm's collapse, and the meaning behind the name of the 85,000 podcast.I also share my own experiences with redundancy, including what it was like to learn about the scandal through Arthur Andersen’s clients and the media.We discuss the question of responsibility: who was accountable for the scandal, what connections existed between Enron and the White House, and what role, if any, did the wider political landscape play? We also examine the case of David Duncan, the Arthur Andersen partner who was made a scapegoat for the controversy.Finally, we explore Larry’s connection to Australia and bring the conversation back to the people whose lives and careers were changed by the collapse.Support Larry's Work:https://www.larryrkatzen.com/https://www.amazon.com/You-Thought-Accountants-Were-Boring-ebook/dp/B00G7AFVS8/https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/85-000-the-podcast/id1891415357Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

This is episode 119 of The Truth TankWhat is it about the end of the world that fascinates us? From deserted cities and deadly pandemics to nuclear devastation, zombies and rogue AI, post-apocalyptic stories explore not just how humanity might fall, but what it means to survive.In this episode of The Truth Tank, I take a deep dive into Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, examining his strengths and weaknesses as a filmmaker and exploring the film’s central characters, themes and haunting vision of a world after civilisation collapses.We meet Hig, a pilot who remains emotionally tied to the past, and Bangley, his heavily armed, distrustful neighbour who believes survival comes before everything else. Their contrasting philosophies drive the story as a mysterious radio transmission, dangerous scavengers and an unexpected journey force Hig to confront the possibility of a future beyond survival.I also explore the film’s treatment of memory, humanity and the tension between living in the past and embracing the future, before comparing the movie with the original novel. What has changed, what remains the same, and what do the differences — particularly Jasper’s fate and the contrasting endings — tell us about the story?Then, we widen the lens and explore the many ways the world could end, from biological pandemics and nuclear war to climate catastrophe, supervolcanoes, asteroids, alien threats and machines that turn against their creators. Yes, The Walking Dead, The Terminator and The Matrix all get a mention.Finally, we ask the big question: what would a real-world apocalypse actually look like?Join me as we explore the end of the world, the stories we tell about it, and why, even in our darkest imagined futures, the question of what makes us human remains at the heart of it all.Truth to Tell.Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpSources:Peter Heller — Official website for The Dog Stars (novel) https://www.peterhellerauthor.com/book/the-dog-stars 20th Century Studios — Official The Dog Stars film page https://www.20thcenturystudios.com.au/movies/the-dog-stars The Walt Disney Company — Ridley Scott and Josh Brolin discuss The Dog Stars https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/the-dog-stars/ The Guardian — The Dog Stars film review https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/25/the-dog-stars-ridley-scott-reviewhttps://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/ridley-scott-reveals-crucial-detail-170000481.htmlhttps://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/dog-stars-6-biggest-changes-182649235.htmlWorld Health Organization (WHO) — Pandemic preparedness https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240084513 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — Climate change reports https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/ NASA — Planetary defence and asteroid threats https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-defense/ NASA — Asteroids and near-Earth objects https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/asteroids/ U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) — Supervolcanoes explained https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-supervolcano-what-a-supereruption U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) — Yellowstone supervolcano questions and answers

This is episode 118 of The Truth Tank  In this episode, I sit down with Michael Monk, founder of the Avatar Energy Mastery Institute and the Metaphysical Church of the Tree of Life, for a fascinating conversation about spirituality, consciousness, and the nature of reality.From a successful entrepreneur to a spiritual awakening that changed his outlook on the world, Michael shares his personal experiences and the journey that led him down a very different path.We explore out-of-body experiences, waveform energy, sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming, the body's electrical fields, the nature of the soul, Eastern and Western spirituality, the Holy Trinity, the miracle of creation and fatherhood, and much more. I also share some of my own experiences with sleep paralysis as we dive into the metaphysical world.We discuss faith, trusting the process, and why sometimes the journey matters more than the destination.🌀 What is the nature of the soul? How much do we really understand about energy and consciousness? And could we be looking at spirituality through a limited lens?Join us as we explore these questions and venture into the grey areas between science, spirituality, and the mysteries of existence.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!Support Michael’s work and learn more about his spiritual journey!https://michaelmonk.bio/https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelMonkAvatarMerch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

This is the third instalment of The Lie Of Communism.Chapter 3 picks up as World War I rages across Europe, dragging Russia deeper into a capitalist war under Tsar Nicholas II. The people are suffering, the working class is growing restless, and the foundations of the Russian Empire are beginning to crumble. Meanwhile, Lenin is campaigning for a proletarian revolution that will sweep across Europe. But he wasn't the only one fighting for change. Across Russia, workers were already taking to the streets, laying the groundwork for a revolution that would change the course of history.As the Tsar's popularity continues to fall, the mysterious Rasputin tightens his grip on the royal family, fuelling scandal and undermining what little faith remains in the monarchy. Meanwhile, protests that began with hundreds of demonstrators grow into mass movements involving hundreds of thousands. From the struggles of Russia's women workers to the history of the red revolutionary flag, we explore the people and movements that helped bring Russia to the brink of revolution.But Russia's story is part of a much larger revolutionary struggle. From the Springtime of the Peoples in Europe to the bloody uprising of the Paris Commune, the seeds of revolution had been planted long before Lenin came to power. As the February Revolution erupts and the July Days plunge Russia into further turmoil, one question remains: did Lenin create the revolution, or did he seize the opportunity to turn an uprising already in motion into a Bolshevik victory?We also travel back to the late nineteenth century to uncover the origins of Leon Trotsky. From his early life and experiences among the factory workers of Nikolayev to underground revolutionary meetings, confrontations with the police and imprisonment in Moscow, we follow his transformation from a young political radical into a committed revolutionary. His first period of exile in Siberia would test his resolve, shape his political thinking and set him on a path that would eventually lead him to Lenin.Through imprisonment, escape, exile and revolutionary writing, we uncover the experiences that helped forge the man who would become one of the most influential figures of the Russian Revolution. From the origins of his revolutionary name to his first exposure to Lenin's ideas, Trotsky's journey reveals a movement that was evolving long before the Bolsheviks seized power.The stage was set, the people were ready for change, and the revolutionary flag was flying. But were Lenin and his followers giving the people the revolution they wanted, or using their suffering to build a revolution of their own?Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Amazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QCastboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=ushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution_of_1905https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Communehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Rasputinhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Grigory-Yefimovich-Rasputinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Trotskyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_Revolutionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Dayshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_flag_(politics)Trotsky, Leon. My Life: An Attempt at an Autobiography. Originally published 1929. Reprint edition, Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc., 2007.

This is episode 116 of The Truth TankBefore Anthony Bourdain became the chef, writer and travelling storyteller we knew, there was Tony.In this episode, I dive into Tony, a fictionalised take on Bourdain’s early years, following a young and directionless Tony in 1970s Provincetown as a failed writing opportunity, a crush and a disastrous night out unexpectedly lead him into the chaos of a professional kitchen.From dishwasher to oyster station, Tony slowly discovers a passion for food — while the film explores kitchens, friendship, ambition, lies and finding a direction in life.I also take a personal look at my own experience working in kitchens and why some of the film’s chaotic kitchen scenes brought back memories of my time at McDonald’s.Part Two: Book vs FilmWhat did the film change, fictionalise or add to Bourdain’s story? How does Tony compare with the Anthony Bourdain we know from Kitchen Confidential? We also dig into the performances, cinematography, the 1970s atmosphere and Dominic Sessa’s portrayal of a young Bourdain.Part Three: Who Was Anthony Bourdain?From Vassar and the kitchens of New York to Les Halles, Kitchen Confidential, television, travel and becoming one of the world’s most recognisable food storytellers. We trace Bourdain’s journey, his struggles with addiction, his rise to fame and the legacy he left behind.Tony or Anthony?This is the story of the man before the legend.Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpSources: Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential & A Cook’s Tour, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2004.Anthony Bourdain — No Reservations — Travel Channel https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/anthony-bourdain-no-reservationsAnthony Bourdain — Biography — Encyclopaedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anthony-BourdainAnthony Bourdain — Biography — Biography.com https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/anthony-bourdainThe Culinary Institute of America https://www.ciachef.edu/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdainhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain:_No_Reservationshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain:_Parts_Unknown

This is episode 115 of The Truth TankThis episode drops us back into the glorious ’80s — BBQs, brown and cream, Nike Cortez and suburban America — before things on Oak Street start getting very strange.David Robert Mitchell’s The End of Oak Street is part period family drama, part sci-fi mystery and part dinosaur movie, with an increasingly eerie, horror-tinged atmosphere.We look at the film’s unique dinosaur designs, its unusual visual style, the changing pace and tone, the family dynamics between the optimists and sceptics, and Tank’s love of the Nike Cortez.Then we dig deeper into the film’s inspirations, the strange invading the normal, Oak Street’s connection to Flowervale Street, Mitchell’s first big-budget film, and the comparisons to Spielberg and Amblin.But the nostalgia goes beyond the ’80s.We explore the film’s connection to the pulp science-fiction stories of the ’50s and ’60s, from Amazing Stories to Fantastic Adventures, along with influences and connections to The Simpsons and Back to the Future.Dinosaurs, time travel, suburban nostalgia, pulp sci-fi and something very strange invading the ordinary.Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpSources:https://ew.com/the-end-of-oak-street-david-robert-mitchell-exclusive-11985146?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/end-of-oak-street-director-addresses-cloverfield-spin-off-rumors-there-are-certainly-some-answers-in-there/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/dinosaurs-take-over-suburbia-in-first-trailer-for-it-follows-directors-intriguing-new-sci-fi-movie/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-end-of-oak-streets-original-ending-was-twilight-zone-style-twist?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://theweek.com/culture-life/film/movies-to-watch-in-august-end-oak-street-it-ends-one-night-only-wrong-girls?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://scified.com/news/first-clear-look-dinosaurs-end-oak-street-2026-movie?utm_source=chatgpt.com

This is episode 114 Of The Truth TankIn Part 2 of my conversation with Antonio Alves, we go even deeper down the rabbit hole.We begin with the Miracle of Fatima and the strange reports surrounding what witnesses claimed to have seen that day, before exploring UFO sightings near mountains, the mystery surrounding Lobsang Rampa and his book The Hermit, and the possibility of USOs — unidentified objects beneath the water.From there, we follow a trail connecting code 135917, the Vatican, alleged UFO crashes and cover-ups, and the long-running question of UFO disclosure.But the investigation doesn't stop there.We look at human evolution and the possibility that extraterrestrial intelligence may have influenced the development of modern humans — or even the controversial idea that humanity may not have originated on Earth at all. We explore the origins of the human soul, ancient conflicts and the mysterious Vimanas, global catastrophes, Noah's Ark, Enoch and the angels, and what ancient religious texts might tell us about humanity's forgotten past.We also question the history of time itself — how calendars have changed, how historians determine dates, how people measured time during the era of Jesus, and why certain books were excluded from the Bible.And then we turn to technology.Was knowledge deliberately hidden from Adam and Eve? What can the Tower of Babel tell us about humanity's relationship with technology? How much control has the Church exercised throughout history? Could humanity be heading toward a technological breaking point — and do we need a technological detox?Finally, we examine the possibility of an ET agenda operating through governments, the changing nature of technology, and where the growing movement for UFO disclosure could ultimately lead.Some ideas are historical. Some are religious. Some are controversial. And some remain firmly in the realm of speculation.The question is: where does the mystery end… and the truth begin?Read Antonio's Book:https://www.amazon.com.au/Gods-Civilizations-Stars-Antonio-Alves-ebook/dp/B0F6XMZ8DBhttps://www.booktopia.com.au/gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars-antonio-alves/book/9798823033756.html?srsltid=AfmBOorL3EaIj6gDBxdjc-qZvOv8bi7kBvr7DB9CdMOfSM_8s6rbpsV5https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/861649-gods-or-civilizations-from-the-starsMerch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpSources:Alves, Antonio. Gods or Civilisations from the Stars. AuthorHouse, 2025.

This is episode 113 of The Truth TankSeveral years after the events of No Way Home, Peter Parker finds himself living alone, making his own suit and trapped in a rinse-and-repeat existence of working by day and fighting crime by night.Spider-Man: Brand New Day takes the character in a surprisingly different direction — blending superhero action with mystery, detective storytelling and a much more personal story about who Peter Parker is becoming.In this review, I look at the evolution of Spider-Man on screen, from the darker, more theatrical suits of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to the many different versions of Tom Holland's Spider-Man, and the retro-inspired suit that brings Brand New Day back to its comic-book roots.But the real focus is Peter Parker himself.What happens when Spider-Man gets older? How does the character evolve when the world around him changes? And can Peter ever escape the cycle of becoming Spider-Man, fighting crime and sacrificing his own life in the process?The film also introduces some fascinating ideas around Peter's changing body, his evolving arachnid DNA and a strange new threat that turns the story into something closer to a mystery than a traditional superhero movie.Emotion is another major part of Brand New Day. Tom Holland is excellent as an older Peter Parker who has become isolated from the people around him, while the story explores the lingering connection between Peter, MJ and Ned. But does the film's emotional ambition actually work? Or does the uneven pacing and lighter moments stop it from achieving the darker, more emotional Spider-Man story it seems to be reaching for?And then there's the biggest problem — the lack of a conventional villain.With the Hulk, the Punisher and Spider-Man entering the story, and a major twist opening the door to something much bigger, Brand New Day feels increasingly like a bridge between different parts of the MCU.I also continue Part 2 of Comic Connections, looking at:• Where the title Brand New Day comes from• The evolution and changing nature of Peter Parker• Can the MCU still make genuinely standalone superhero films?• Comic Connection #2 — The Great Web-Shooter Debate• Comic Connection #3 — When Hollywood Changed the Comics• The Raimi Effect and the influence of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man• The different cinematic Punishers — Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson and Jon Bernthal• How Brand New Day connects to what's coming next• And the film's box office performanceWith great VFX, an excellent Tom Holland performance and a willingness to take Spider-Man somewhere different, Brand New Day is an interesting experiment — even if it doesn't always stick the landing.Ultimately, is Brand New Day a new chapter for Spider-Man, or a creative bridge toward the next chapter of the MCU?Merch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankDubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order)https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqqSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

This is episode 112 of The Truth TankIn this episode we sit down with investigative journalist, author and editor of Headline USA, Ken Silva, to examine the assassination plots targeting Donald Trump and the questions that remain surrounding the investigations.Drawing largely from Ken’s book The Trump Assassination Plots: What the Investigations Missed and Why It Matters, we explore what he uncovered while investigating the July 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania shooting and the later assassination attempt in Florida.What did the official investigations uncover — and what did they leave unanswered? We discuss the evidence, the timelines, the security failures, Thomas Crooks and Ryan Routh, and the areas Ken believes deserved much greater scrutiny.This is a conversation about the evidence, the unanswered questions and Ken Silva’s investigation into two attempts to assassinate a former and future president of the United States.Get The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Assassination-Plots-Investigations-Matters-ebook/dp/B0H22R42FH?ref_=ast_author_mpbMerch:The Truth Tank Shophttps://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.comBuy Me A Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtankSocials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/Listen:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2SuApplehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905I Heart Radiohttps://iheart.com/podcast/76110779Castboxhttps://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=usAmazonhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6QAudible https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp