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The Finders
Child Trafficking
Consumer Electronics Show
CIA
Unionization
Effective Altruism
Port Militarization Resistance
Blue Star Donuts
Robert E. Lee
Marion David Petty
Qanon
Satanic Panic
AI Cult Dynamics
Worker Rights
Rocco's Basilisk
Anti-War Movement
Police Militarization
Technology
Artificial Intelligence
Dystopia

There’s a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives. Listeners will learn about the young adult novels that helped Hitler form his monstrous i... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1144Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Behind the Bastards

Latest Episodes

Robert explains how Jimmy Saville went from bike race commentator to pop music DJ and gatekeeper to the stars, and how much of Britain clamored to give him access to young girls as a reward.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert explores the life and times of Jimmy Savile, the face of the BBC for decades, an ally of Margaret Thatcher, and a pedophile rapist on an incomprehensible scale.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.

- How to Break a Union From the Inside: The NFL Players Association, Pt. 1

- How to Break a Union From the Inside: The NFL Players Association, Pt. 2

- The Jew... more

Greazy Wil concludes the story of Phil Spector by talking about the murder he definitely committed.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Cool People Who Did Cool StuffCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
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Some More NewsSomeMoreNews | PodcastOne

Recent Guests

Michael Edison Hayden
Investigative journalist and author, expert on far-right extremism
SPLC (former) / Publications
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 226
Ilya Ayub
Historian and regional analyst guest discussing Lebanon conflict context
Independent journalist/author
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 225
Kava Hoda
Physician, gastroenterologist, host of The House of Pod
The House of Pod
Episode: Part Two: The First Shah of Iran
Kaveh Hoda
Dr. Kaveh Hoda, podcaster
Episode: Part One: The First Shah of Iran
Shane Lee
Contributor, VCInfoDocs
VCInfoDocs
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 224
Cal Penn
Actor and guest on the episode discussing Sylvia Browne
Episode: Part Two: Sylvia Browne: Fake Psychic Detective
Kal Penn
Actor, former White House staffer, podcaster
Episode: Part One: Sylvia Browne: Fake Psychic Detective
Carl Casarda
City resident and former guest
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 221
Tara Ragavir
Director of the Tenant Union Federation
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 221

Hosts

Robert Evans
Host of It Could Happen Here; co-host on Behind the Bastards; multiple affiliations
Sophie Lichterman
Co-host/Executive producer; primary editor and producer on several shows
Andrew T.
Co-hosts Behind the Bastards; frequent contributor

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 47.3k ratings
  • it’s good…

    i do really like this podcast, no meme here! fun and insightful. but i know why you turned off the comments ins spotify 👀 and i agree

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hamptergorl
    United States23 days ago
  • Will she ever shut up?

    Seriously, someone mute her mic until she’s ready to contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way. The constant talking over Robert and the guests is so grating to hear. I have been listening for years, and every time I take a break, it’s a direct result of her.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DieterVon
    United States23 days ago
  • I think Sophie should take over

    Oops all Sophie? I’m just saying. It’s a great show; I noticed many reviews dogging her (what a shock, eh?) so here’s my counter balance. Sophie forever!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nonameswereavailable
    United States25 days ago
  • Clearly made by humans

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Rowena
    a month ago
  • The girl…

    Great topics but the girls commentary needs to stopppp!

    I couldn’t even hear what was being said cause she said “ew” literally like 30 times in a row.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ???I dknt m ke
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistent engagement with controversial topics attracts a dedicated audience
Polished research with provocative history
Listener feedback highlights in-depth context but mentions pacing issues when guests derail discussion
Strong critique of power structures, though opinions on show length vary

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Part One: The Phil Spector Episodes
Q: If you had a Mount Rushmore of horrible music people, like whoever you could think of, who's your George Washington?
Greazy Will lists Michael Jackson as a towering, influential but morally complicated figure, then pivots to Phil Spector as the episode's focus, highlighting how musical genius can come with troubling personal behavior.
Part One: The Phil Spector Episodes
Q: So who are we hearing about today, Will? What piece of shit are you going to tell me about?
Greazy Will introduces Phil Spector and frames him as a groundbreaking yet deeply flawed figure, outlining the core themes of the episode and hinting at the personal and professional dynamics that will be explored.
Part One: Prince Mohammed Bin Salman: The Tyrant of Saudi Arabia
Q: What do you think makes Mohammed Bin Salman significant in modern leadership?
He is a dangerous and in some ways competent leader, pushing his ideology using wealth and influence.
Part One: Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition
Q: Which bastard past or present would be the best podcast guest to cover a different horrible person?
Robert mused that L. Ron Hubbard would be an interesting guest for critiquing other cult leaders, as he would have unique insights into their failures.
Part One: Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition
Q: Have you ever started an episode on someone commonly known to be a bastard, only to realize you actually agreed with them or decided they weren't worthy of being a bastard?
Robert said he found Bo Brummel to be more sympathetic than initially thought, although he still represented important cultural discussions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Bastards

What is Behind the Bastards about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Behind the Bastards consistently digs into the lives and ecosystems around infamous figures, providing deep-dive history and context that goes beyond surface narratives. Episodes typically blend thorough research with accessible storytelling to unpack how power, ideology, and culture intertwine in ways that shape current events. The show often features guests from journalism, policy, and research, offering nuanced perspectives on topics like authoritarianism, corruption, and social dynamics, while maintaining a provocative, sometimes darkly humorous tone. A standout is its willingness to connect historical wrongdoing to contemporary systems, helping listeners understand how past power structures persist today. Potential sponsors and guests ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Behind the Bastards?

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How many listeners does Behind the Bastards get?

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What are the audience demographics for Behind the Bastards?

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How many subscribers and views does Behind the Bastards have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Behind the Bastards has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Behind the Bastards?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Bastards:

1. Weird Little Guys
2. It Could Happen Here
3. Knowledge Fight
4. Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff
5. Some More News

How many episodes of Behind the Bastards are there?

Behind the Bastards launched 8 years ago and published 1144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Behind the Bastards?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Behind the Bastards?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Behind the Bastards from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Bastards?

Recent guests on Behind the Bastards include:

1. Michael Edison Hayden
2. Ilya Ayub
3. Kava Hoda
4. Kaveh Hoda
5. Shane Lee
6. Cal Penn
7. Kal Penn
8. Carl Casarda

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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