Swindled
Book Recommendations

Swindled

Utilizes narrative storytelling, archival audio, and immersive soundscapes to explore true stories of white-collar criminals, con artists, and corporate evil. From corruption and fraud to Ponzi schemes and environmental disasters, these financially motivated crimes have shaped our world in unimagina...

Episodes 173
Books 60

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

The Bushman’s Lair: On the Trail of the Fugitive of the Shuswap cover

The Bushman’s Lair

Paul McKendrick

Mentioned 7 months ago

134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

This book chronicled the saga of John Bjornstrom, the Bushman of the Shuswap, whose author felt the mystery he built still resonated in the trees long after he was gone.

His author, Paul McKendrick, who chronicled the saga in the Bushman's lair, told chapters in the go that the man is gone, but the mystery he built still hums in the trees.

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BRE-X: The Inside Story of the World's Biggest Mining Scam cover

BRE-X

Jennifer Wells

Mentioned 7 months ago

134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, wrote this book about the Bre-X scandal.

This conclusion was shared by several others who had investigated the case, including the Bushman of the Shoe Swap, John Bjornstrom, and Diane Francis, the editor of Canada's Financial Post newspaper, and author of Bree X, the inside story.

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The Bre-X Fraud cover

The Bre-X Fraud

Douglas Goold

Mentioned 7 months ago

134. The Motherlode (Bre-X Minerals)

Andrew Willis, the co-author of this book, suggested that John Felderhoff, as chief geologist, should have known about the fraud if he didn't actively participate in it.

This is Andrew Willis, the co-author of The Briex Fraud. John Felderhoff was the chief geologist. He was in Indonesia. His name is all over the scientific work. If he did not know, he should have known. He was incompetent.

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Quieting Your Heart: 30-Day Prayer Journal - Love Edition cover

Quieting Your Heart

Darlene Schacht

Mentioned 1 year ago

115. The Bling Bishop (Lamor Whitehead)

It was a self-help relationship book that Bishop Lamar Whitehead claimed was a New York Times bestseller, although there is no evidence to support this claim. He celebrated its release with a Louis Vuitton shopping event for his family.

Celebrating the New York Times bestselling author. God Made You a Wife and Not a Girlfriend.

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The Noom Kitchen: 100 Healthy, Delicious, Flexible Recipes for Every Day cover

The Noom Kitchen

Noom

Mentioned 2 years ago

109. The Machine (Tyson Foods)

The Noom Kitchen is the first cookbook published by Noom.

And check out Noom's first ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to remote better living

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The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America's Food Business cover

The Meat Racket

Christopher Leonard

Mentioned 2 years ago

109. The Machine (Tyson Foods)

The book chronicles Tyson's rise to power and provides a detailed account of their chickenization of the pork industry.

According to Christopher Leonard, who wrote a great book called The Meat Racket

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Call Me Commander: A Former Intelligence Officer and the Journalists Who Uncovered His Scheme to Fleece America cover

Call Me Commander

Jeff Testerman

Mentioned 2 years ago

108. The Commander (Bobby C. Thompson)

The book details the case of Bobby Thompson and his fraudulent charity, which was exposed by journalist Jeff Testerman. It was an award-winning series of articles he wrote that ultimately led to the arrest of the Commander.

Testerman has also recently released a book about the case titled Call Me Commander, so check that out too.

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Masters of Deceit: The Story of Communism in America and How to Fight It cover

Masters of Deceit

J Edgar Hoover

Mentioned 2 years ago

108. The Commander (Bobby C. Thompson)

The book was written by Jody Andes, who interviewed John Donald Cody, the commander, in prison numerous times. In a Q&A with her former newspaper, he was upset that the book was available for $17, as he felt his story was worth more than that.

She interviewed the commander in prison at least a dozen times for a book she wrote about the case called Master of Deceit.

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Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health cover

Dianetics

L. Ron Hubbard

Mentioned 2 years ago

107. The Technology (Real Water)

Brent Allen Jones was working as a lawyer in California and felt unfulfilled. He was looking for answers and read Dianetics, written by L. Ron Hubbard. He felt like the book made sense and that it could improve his life.

She was a Scientologist and she sold me a book, Jones told the newspaper, Dianetics.

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The Secret (1) (The Secret Library) cover

The Secret (1) (The Secret Library)

Rhonda Byrne

Mentioned 2 years ago

107. The Technology (Real Water)

Brent Jones claimed that the courses he required his employees to complete were not based on Scientology but were based on a comparable pile of bullshit called The Secret.

The courses had nothing to do with Scientology, Jones claimed. The philosophies were based more on a comparable pile of bullshit called the secret, a popular book in those days that touted the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction endorsed by daytime TV talk show gurus like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.

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Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.) cover

Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.)

Ayn Rand

Mentioned 2 years ago

107. The Technology (Real Water)

Brent Allen Jones stated that he felt his opponent was dumbing down society by teaching children that capitalism was bad. He referenced the book Atlas Shrugged written 60 years ago.

You know 60 years ago there was a book written called Atlas Shrugged.

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Eighty-one Seconds: The Attack and Aftermath as Tornadoes Hit Pilger, Stanton, Wakefield and Wisner, Nebraska cover

Eighty-one Seconds

LaRayne M. Topp

Mentioned 2 years ago

106. The Tornado (Kim Neiman)

The speaker mentions that Daring Shiner told the author of the book "81 Seconds", Lorraine M. Topp, about how he took shelter under a bridge during the tornado.

He told 81 seconds author Lorraine M. Topp that he took cover under a bridge and held on to one of the pillars for dear life.

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Most Recommended

Poison: The History of Potions, Powders and Murderous Practitioners Cover

Ben Hubbard

Poison

The History of Potions, Powders and Murderous Practitioners

Poison Powder was described as a great new book about the Kepone disaster, focusing on the experiences of those affected by the pesticide.

"

When Dale Gilbert, the 34-year-old operations supervisor at the life science facility, was told by a doctor in June 1975 that stress was causing the physical ailments that he shared with the others, D...

— Episode: 104. The Kepone Shakes (Life Science Pro...

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Episode: 104. The Kepone Shakes (Life Science Products)

Poison Powder was described as a great new book about the Kepone disaster, focusing on the experiences of those affected by the pesticide.

"

When Dale Gilbert, the 34-year-old operations supervisor at the life science facility, was told by a doctor in June 1975 that stress was causing the physical ailments that he shared with the others, Dale did not believe it.

People think of the word disabled and they think he doesn't get up and go to work but that's only like the tip of the iceberg, Dale Gilbert told the Washington Post.

I've always, since I was a kid, had my own responsibility, making money and all of a sudden I was sick.

I had my own responsibility, making money and all of a sudden you can't go out and rake leaves.

I never saw anything like it before, Dr. Chow told the New York Times.

Vicki Cover

Joyce Milton

Vicki

It was mentioned that Gordon Basikas wrote a book about Vicki Morgan, but it wasn't said what the book was titled.

"

Gordon Basikas. He wrote a book about Vicki Morgan.

— Episode: 102. The Other Woman (Vicki Morgan)

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Episode: 102. The Other Woman (Vicki Morgan)

It was mentioned that Gordon Basikas wrote a book about Vicki Morgan, but it wasn't said what the book was titled.

"

Gordon Basikas. He wrote a book about Vicki Morgan.

Do As I Say: How cults control, why we join them, and what they teach us about bullying, abuse and coercion Cover

Sarah Steel

Do As I Say

How cults control, why we join them, and what they teach us about bullying, abuse and coercion

It was mentioned that Sarah Steele, a podcast host and author, had written a book about cults called "Do As I Say." The book is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

"

Sarah has also written a book about cults called Do As I Say which you can buy wherever books are sold but consider purchasing because Sarah and Joe's life savings have vanished court...

— Episode: 101. The Missing (Melissa Caddick)

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Episode: 101. The Missing (Melissa Caddick)

It was mentioned that Sarah Steele, a podcast host and author, had written a book about cults called "Do As I Say." The book is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

"

Sarah has also written a book about cults called Do As I Say which you can buy wherever books are sold but consider purchasing because Sarah and Joe's life savings have vanished courtesy of Melissa Caddick.

Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless Cover

Laurah Norton

Lay Them to Rest

On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless

The book tells the stories of the unidentified dead and those who work to bring them justice, highlighting how forensic science has evolved and what remains to be done.

"

Lay Them to Rest, out this October from Hachette Book Group, vividly opens up the world of forensic science.

— Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Bl...

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Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Blues)

The book tells the stories of the unidentified dead and those who work to bring them justice, highlighting how forensic science has evolved and what remains to be done.

"

Lay Them to Rest, out this October from Hachette Book Group, vividly opens up the world of forensic science.

Lay Them to Rest brings readers to crime scenes, labs, and law enforcement offices, all in the name of identifying John and Jane Doe victims.

It's written by a seasoned cold case researcher, who also hosts the popular podcasts One Strange Thing and The Fall Line.

Readers immersed in Lay Them to Rest will even follow along as a victim is identified for the first time, and her family, decades later, finally get some answers.

Heartbreaking, hopeful, and insightful, Lay Them to Rest will show you how far we've come in solving the cases of the unidentified dead, and how far we have yet to go.

Guilty Admissions: The Bribes, Favors, and Phonies behind the College Cheating Scandal Cover

Nicole LaPorte

Guilty Admissions

The Bribes, Favors, and Phonies behind the College Cheating Scandal

The book describes Rick Singer's aggressive and competitive personality, which earned him the nickname 'Rick the Dick' in college.

"

According to Nicole Laporte, author of Guilty Admissions, this is where he earned the nickname Rick the Dick because of his aggressive and off-putting approach to winning.

— Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Bl...

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Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Blues)

The book describes Rick Singer's aggressive and competitive personality, which earned him the nickname 'Rick the Dick' in college.

"

According to Nicole Laporte, author of Guilty Admissions, this is where he earned the nickname Rick the Dick because of his aggressive and off-putting approach to winning.

As Laporte points out in her book, Rick Singer did not have the temperament to work with children of any age.

The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood (Modern Girl's Guides) Cover

Jane Buckingham

The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood (Modern Girl's Guides)

The book provides advice on parenting and navigating the complexities of modern motherhood.

"

Say hello to Jane Buckingham, author of The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood and The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations.

— Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Bl...

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Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Blues)

The book provides advice on parenting and navigating the complexities of modern motherhood.

"

Say hello to Jane Buckingham, author of The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood and The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations.

The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations (Modern Girl's Guides) Cover

Jane Buckingham

The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations (Modern Girl's Guides)

The book offers guidance on handling difficult situations and navigating the challenges of modern life.

"

Say hello to Jane Buckingham, author of The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood and The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations.

— Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Bl...

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Episode: 100. The Side Door (Operation Varsity Blues)

The book offers guidance on handling difficult situations and navigating the challenges of modern life.

"

Say hello to Jane Buckingham, author of The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood and The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations.

Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity Cover

David Kirby

Death at SeaWorld

Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity

It was a devastating expose of the dangers and consequences of keeping orcas in captivity. It came out in 2012, just a year before the premiere of "Blackfish", another documentary that explored the same themes.

"

It followed on the heels of an equally devastating expose by David Kirby titled Death at SeaWorld published in 2012 which followed Tim Zimmerman's 2010 long-form article in Outside ma...

— Episode: 95. The Captive (SeaWorld)

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Episode: 95. The Captive (SeaWorld)

It was a devastating expose of the dangers and consequences of keeping orcas in captivity. It came out in 2012, just a year before the premiere of "Blackfish", another documentary that explored the same themes.

"

It followed on the heels of an equally devastating expose by David Kirby titled Death at SeaWorld published in 2012 which followed Tim Zimmerman's 2010 long-form article in Outside magazine called The Killer in the Pool.

Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time (In Two Lines or Less), The Cover

John M Shanahan

Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time (In Two Lines or Less), The

This compilation of quotes by famous figures, such as Shakespeare, Lincoln and Hemingway, was published in 1999. John Shanahan included a quote of his own in the book.

"

If you don't bring Paris with you, you won't find it there.

— Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

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Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

This compilation of quotes by famous figures, such as Shakespeare, Lincoln and Hemingway, was published in 1999. John Shanahan included a quote of his own in the book.

"

If you don't bring Paris with you, you won't find it there.

Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About Cover

Kevin Trudeau

Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About

This book claims to contain information hidden from the public about natural cures for a variety of ailments. It was the number one selling book in America and beat out Harry Potter, which has never been done before for a nonfiction book. However, the book is riddled with unsubstantiated claims.

"

It actually was the number one selling book in America it beat Harry Potter and that's never been done in history especially it's a nonfiction book.

— Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

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Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

This book claims to contain information hidden from the public about natural cures for a variety of ailments. It was the number one selling book in America and beat out Harry Potter, which has never been done before for a nonfiction book. However, the book is riddled with unsubstantiated claims.

"

It actually was the number one selling book in America it beat Harry Potter and that's never been done in history especially it's a nonfiction book.

Trudeau's self-published book was 600 pages long and poorly written.

Okay I'm intrigued.

Herpes is curable it is 100% curable. People don't have to have breakouts ever again.

Acid reflux is curable. Cancer is curable.

Get the number one New York Times best-selling book Natural Cures they don't want you to know about.

Over 10 million people have already benefited from this life-changing information.

I reported that in my book and I reported that in news outlets around the world.

They did a massive cover-up.

They did a massive cover-up.

I reported that the gentleman who was marketing this, Dr. Young Soo Kim, was offered over 10 million dollars to take the product off the market because if people use it they would cure their diabetes and the companies that sell diabetes supplies would lose money.

Trudeau said he had to remove them because of threats from the FTC but you can still access them on his website for the low price of nine dollars and ninety-five cents a month.

Debt Cures: "They" Don't Want You to Know About Cover

Kevin Trudeau

Debt Cures

"They" Don't Want You to Know About

This book, published in 2010, contains basic financial information readily available everywhere for free, such as how to improve your credit score.

"

Discover the methods in Kevin's book that these real people use to make a fortune before the government possibly bans the book and freezes the latest free money program.

— Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

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Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

This book, published in 2010, contains basic financial information readily available everywhere for free, such as how to improve your credit score.

"

Discover the methods in Kevin's book that these real people use to make a fortune before the government possibly bans the book and freezes the latest free money program.

The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About Cover

Kevin Trudeau

The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About

This book was published in 2007. It claims to be the simplest and most effective way to lose weight on planet Earth and has been hidden from the public. The weight loss program outlined in the book, which has been used by the rich and famous for decades, involves strict caloric restrictions, organic foods, coral calcium supplementation, daily walks, colonics, and HCG injections.

"

The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About claimed to be the quote simplest and most effective way to lose weight on planet Earth and has been hidden from the public accor...

— Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

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Episode: 94. The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau)

This book was published in 2007. It claims to be the simplest and most effective way to lose weight on planet Earth and has been hidden from the public. The weight loss program outlined in the book, which has been used by the rich and famous for decades, involves strict caloric restrictions, organic foods, coral calcium supplementation, daily walks, colonics, and HCG injections.

"

The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About claimed to be the quote simplest and most effective way to lose weight on planet Earth and has been hidden from the public according to the accompanying infomercial.

They said that was a lie.

They said they read the book and they believed that after reading the book the weight loss cure was not easy therefore my claim was a lie and it was a violation of the consent decree because I agreed I wouldn't misrepresent my books and they said you clearly misrepresented your book because you said the weight loss cure was easy we read the book we don't think it's easy.

Easy is subjective even though a reasonable person would describe Kevin Trudeau's weight loss program as anything but.

The Hamlet Fire: A Tragic Story of Cheap Food, Cheap Government, and Cheap Lives Cover

Bryant Simon

The Hamlet Fire

A Tragic Story of Cheap Food, Cheap Government, and Cheap Lives

The book, "The Hamlet Fire," details the tragedy of the fire at Imperial Food Products and its impact on the community of Hamlet, North Carolina.

"

According to Brian Simon, who authored a fantastic book about The Hamlet Fire called The Hamlet Fire, the state featured the lowest average hourly wage in the entire...

— Episode: 92. The Phantom (Imperial Food Products)

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Episode: 92. The Phantom (Imperial Food Products)

The book, "The Hamlet Fire," details the tragedy of the fire at Imperial Food Products and its impact on the community of Hamlet, North Carolina.

"

According to Brian Simon, who authored a fantastic book about The Hamlet Fire called The Hamlet Fire, the state featured the lowest average hourly wage in the entire nation.

Windy City Heat (Windy City Cops Book 1) Cover

Remi Hunter

Windy City Heat (Windy City Cops Book 1)

The book was mentioned as a 2003 reality show movie starring Perry Caravello, who was involved in the Balloon Boy incident, and featured a comedic prank in which Caravello was led to believe he landed a lead role in a movie.

"

That's Perry Caravello in a 2003 reality show movie called Windy City Heat.

— Episode: 91. The Balloon Boy (Richard Heene)

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Episode: 91. The Balloon Boy (Richard Heene)

The book was mentioned as a 2003 reality show movie starring Perry Caravello, who was involved in the Balloon Boy incident, and featured a comedic prank in which Caravello was led to believe he landed a lead role in a movie.

"

That's Perry Caravello in a 2003 reality show movie called Windy City Heat.

A classic by the way.

Acres of Skin: Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison Cover

Allen M. Hornblum

Acres of Skin

Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison

The episode highlighted that the author, who had worked at Holmesburg Prison, wrote the book to document the unethical medical experiments conducted on inmates, such as asbestos and talc injections. The hosts emphasized the book’s role in exposing how prisoners were used as paid research subjects under the guise of standard scientific practice at the time. They presented it as a crucial account for understanding this dark chapter in medical history.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: 88. The Liability (Johnson & Johnson)

Alan M. Hornblume, who worked at Holmesburg Prison during the unethical medical experiments, wrote a book titled 'Acres of Skin' about his experience. The book documented how prisoners were used as subjects for various harmful experiments, including the injection of asbestos and talc into their lower backs.

"

That's how Dr. Albert Kligman described seeing the prisoners for the first time to a newspaper reporter in 1966. Quote, "Dr. Albert Kligman died in 2010 at the ripe old age of 93 with no regrets whatsoever. My use of paid prisoners as research subjects in the 1950s and 1960s was in keeping with this nation's standard protocol for conducting scientific investigations at the time."

Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist Cover

Jack Abramoff

Capitol Punishment

The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist

In episode 86, the hosts referenced the title while discussing Abramoff's admission that he directed $20 million of Indian casino funds to sway Alabama elections and defeat political opponents, using it as a vivid illustration of Washington corruption. The book was cited to underscore the depth of lobbying influence rather than being promoted as a must‑read.

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Episode: 86. The Wagon (Richard Scrushy)

Jack Abramoff, a notorious lobbyist later sentenced to six years in prison on a fraud conviction related to a different casino, admitted in his book that he put $20 million of Indian casino money in Alabama first to defeat Don Siegelman in 1998, then to defeat the lottery campaign in 1999, and finally to defeat Siegelman again in 2002.

"

Jack Abramoff in his book admits that he put $20 million of Indian casino money in Alabama first to defeat me in 1998 and to defeat the lottery campaign in 1999, and then to defeat me again in 2002.

Backstreet Boys 30th Anniversary Celebration: Keep the Backstreet Pride Alive Cover

Karah-Leigh Hancock

Backstreet Boys 30th Anniversary Celebration

Keep the Backstreet Pride Alive

The book was referenced in passing when a guest claimed to have appeared in a Backstreet Boys music video, using the title as a point of comparison. No endorsement or critique was offered, and it was mentioned only briefly as a cultural reference.

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Episode: 79. The Rockefeller (Christian Gerhartsreiter)

The book was mentioned in passing as a reference to a music video that Chip Smith claimed to have been in.

"

He told her he had also appeared in a Backstreet Boys music video for some reason.

PLANTLAB Cover

Matthew Kenney

PLANTLAB

The episode noted that Matthew Kinney founded the Plant Lab Culinary Academy and authored a cookbook with the same title, mentioning that he was working on another cookbook and needed a recipe taster. No explicit recommendation was given, and the book was mentioned only in passing.

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Episode: 76. The Vegan (Sarma Melngailis)

The Plant Lab Culinary Academy was founded by Matthew Kinney and he also authored a cookbook with the same title.

"

He was writing another cookbook and needed a recipe taster.

Matthew Kinney created the Plant Lab brand.

Alibaba and the Forty Thieves: "The Secret of the Magical Cave" Cover

Eesha Imran

Alibaba and the Forty Thieves

"The Secret of the Magical Cave"

The book was referenced sarcastically to illustrate the corrupt and neglectful nature of the ruling elite in the context of the Beirut port disaster, serving as a metaphor rather than a recommendation. No endorsement was given, and the mention was brief and critical of the situation.

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Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.