Very Special Episodes
iHeartPodcastsOn the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories that make you say, “this should be a movie.” Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 75 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryEducation | |||
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Latest Episodes
Long before the NCAA Basketball Tournament became a billion-dollar business, there was a massive betting pool run out of a neighborhood bar on Staten Island. The Irish pub’s $10 game handed out million-dollar prizes and drew players from around the w... more
In honor of April Fools' Day, Zaron Burnett digs into a persistent legend surrounding VSE regular Richard Nixon. With a little help from his pops, Zaron ventures into smoky clubs to unpack a bizarre tale of jazz, drugs, and politics.
After the epis... more
On a quiet morning in Hawaii, cell phones across the islands lit up with a text message that felt impossible — a ballistic missile was inbound, and this was not a drill. For 38 minutes, hundreds of thousands of people believed they were living their ... more
In the 1960s, a newly independent Zambia entered the space race with a bold — and baffling — plan. Led by self-declared “Minister of Space” Edward Nkoloso, a team of would-be astronauts trained in oil drums, dreamed of Mars, and captured the world’s ... more
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Reviews
Good stories
Slightly too much modernisms and references that are probably only good in two sheets of LA.
Podcast Addict415 days agoOleg- Ok
Show topics are interesting but host, Dana Schwartz’s reading style is terrible. Zaron Burnett is always a pleasure to listen to and Jason English is fine.
Apple Podcasts3Dai Dege
United States2 months ago This one is really fun. It's crazy that something as mundane as KFC (in the US) would be such a big deal in other countries.
I read an article many years ago about KFC's popularity in Gaza. (Way before the mess that's there now.) Taxi drivers would take dozens of orders from Gazans and drive an obstacle course of checkpoints into Egypt. They'd collect the food, and drive it back to Gaza.
Podcast Addict54 months agoLitlover- Quality!!
What an engaging show! The latest Cabbage Patch episode was my first listen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator tells the story very well and the music is great!! Love learning new things, especially if it’s from my childhood. Excited to listen to more!
Apple Podcasts5c10204736437United States4 months ago - Good show but 2 dudes aren’t needed
Why are they even here? Dana can do this without them. They just show up in the beginning and end and are useless. Ditch them.
Dana rocks.
Apple Podcasts4Mark DonahueUnited States5 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #244 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #125 |  Philippines/History |
Apple Podcasts | #126 |  Brazil/History |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Very Special Episodes
What is Very Special Episodes about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show curates one extraordinary true story each week, blending historical research, archival context, and narrative storytelling. Episodes span topics from historical mysteries and political history to unusual sport sagas and cultural phenomena, often featuring expert guests who illuminate the period or theme. The format pairs engaging narration with insightful discussion, producing a bingeable mix of discovery and analysis that appeals to curious, story-driven listeners who enjoy learning through well-researched storytelling.
Unique strengths include a diverse slate of guests from historians and museum professionals to authors and journalists, plus historically themed episodes that tie micro-histories to larger cultural narratives. Th... more
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How many listeners does Very Special Episodes get?
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What are the audience demographics for Very Special Episodes?
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How many subscribers and views does Very Special Episodes have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Very Special Episodes?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Very Special Episodes:
1. Noble Blood
2. Hoax!
3. Ridiculous Crime
4. American Hysteria
5. You're Wrong About
How many episodes of Very Special Episodes are there?
Very Special Episodes launched 2 years ago and published 75 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on Very Special Episodes?
Recent guests on Very Special Episodes include:
1. Zeke Burnett
2. Alex Wellerstein
3. Cynthia Lazeroff
4. Bruce Lazaroff
5. Holly Dubé
6. Kathleen Lewis
7. Olivia Rutigliano
8. Abbott Kahler
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.