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Very Special Episodes

iHeartPodcasts
Palisade
Nancy Drew
Wild West
Mark Twain
Superman
Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
Dime Novels
Hoaxes
Gunfights
College Football
Culver Stockton College
Leap Day
Women Empowerment
Pokemon Go
California
Virginia City Territorial Enterprise
Chinese Workers
Pledge Of Allegiance
Raenell Dawn
Mildred Wirt Benson

On 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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes65Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHistory

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Artwork for Very Special Episodes

Latest Episodes

Eighty years ago, a young John F. Kennedy took a summer job as a journalist for Hearst newspapers, filing dispatches in the final days of World War II. Even the most seasoned JFK scholars often overlook this chapter, missing the influence those month... more

In much of the world, Christmas dinner means roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a table crowded with family recipes passed down for generations. But in Japan, millions mark the holiday with something far less traditional — a bucket of KFC. Today we unwra... more

In 1983, a cherubic, homely doll triggered something close to national hysteria. Parents fought in store aisles. Shelves were stripped bare. Even the New York mafia found itself selling children’s toys.

Cabbage Patch Kids went from handmade curio... more

In 1979, the world watched as NASA’s 77-ton space station made its fiery plunge back to Earth. When Skylab broke apart over a sleepy Australian town, the falling debris set off a global media frenzy. This is the story of the night the sky actually fe... more

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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Recent Guests

Rob Reiner
Famous director known for films like Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride.
Host of Who Killed JFK?
Episode: JFK's Forgotten Summer [Best of 2025]
Fred Logevall
One of Kennedy's biographers.
Episode: JFK's Forgotten Summer [Best of 2025]
Diane Tincher
A Japanese government licensed tour guide and interpreter, creator of More Than Tokyo.
Episode: Big in Japan: Kentucky Fried Christmas
Gianni Simone
Author of Tokyo Geek's Guide and a long-time resident of Japan.
Episode: Big in Japan: Kentucky Fried Christmas
Larry Mazza
Former associate of the Colombo crime family
Episode: The Cabbage Patch Crisis
Dr. Bonnie Dunbar
Professor of Aerospace Engineering and astronaut
NASA
Episode: Skylab Is Falling
Jeff Jarvis
Author and journalist, formerly a columnist
San Francisco Examiner
Episode: Skylab Is Falling
Wayne Marshall
Musicologist and co-editor of a book about reggaeton
Episode: The Fundamental Magical Element
Frankie McIntosh
Producer and arranger in the Caribbean music scene
Episode: The Fundamental Magical Element

Hosts

Dana Schwartz
Host and storyteller known for her engaging narrative style and extensive research into the subjects discussed in episodes.
Jason English
Co-host who brings a blend of humor and critical thought to the storytelling, enhancing the overall experience through lively banter.
Zaron Burnett
Co-host known for his ability to connect stories to cultural contexts, often highlighting societal implications and reflections.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 385 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    4
    Mark Donahue
    United States2 months ago
  • Goodnight why?

    Such a good episode about MWB. But why avoid her sexual orientation? Especially in these times when lgbtqia people are under attack? Even wiki will tell you she was into both men and women. Such a disappointing and glaring omission for such an otherwise good episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Daddy-Pops
    United States6 months ago
  • So so bad

    I came across this podcast because of noble blood. I can’t express the amount of disappointment that it has provided, specifically the episode of Andy the goose. It was a pointless show that was only not entertaining, but actually infuriating! I kept waiting for something sort of justice for this poor goose, but it turned into a tale of a woman trying to make a buck off the memory of this animal that had been brutalized.

    I’ll never listen to another episode, and because of this abomination, I h... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    No_no_sorry
    United States6 months ago
  • The episodes are special. Political.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Haribo Trundlebed
    7 months ago
  • A favorite podcast for the perpetually curious

    I tripped into this show from Noble Blood, and am so happy I found it. If you have a touch of the ADHD and are always happy to find a fresh rabbit hole but can’t always follow a multi-episode serial, this is the show for you. Also has been perfectly fine to listen in front of my kids— a rare treat these days.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cjb6gt
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the variety of topics covered, finding the storytelling engaging and insightful.
Some feedback highlights a desire for clearer thematic connections between episodes, suggesting occasional confusion regarding episode focus.
Many express enthusiasm for the hosts' chemistry and the humor interwoven within historical narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#240
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#219
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#109
Chile/History
Apple Podcasts
#133
South Africa/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Being Joe Isuzu
Q: Why do you think America loved Joe Isuzu so much?
The appeal seemed simple; he was goofy looking and funny, and people found his outrageous lies charming.
Being Joe Isuzu
Q: What does Joe Isuzu think about the state of our modern world?
Joe Isuzu's character was a charming liar, contrasting the more serious implications of lying in the modern context, where truth feels distorted and heavily influenced by personal opinions rather than objective reality.
Super Streaker
Q: What was your experience during the streak itself?
Mark described it as exhilarating and surreal, with the crowd cheering and the players confused as he danced on the field.
Super Streaker
Q: How did you prepare for the Super Bowl?
Mark planned extensively, even going as far as to obtain a referee's uniform to help him gain access to the field.
Westward Hoax: The Secret History of Palisade, Nevada
Q: So, do you think it was real?
Some believe it happened at least once, leading to a series of repeated performances for entertainment, while others are skeptical about the actual occurrences.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Very Special Episodes

What is Very Special Episodes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features a captivating narrative format, focusing on extraordinary stories from history, culture, and human experiences that often provoke disbelief. Each episode typically examines unique incidents or important figures, weaving together commentary and facts that highlight their significance. Notable themes include explorations of events with quirky twists, societal challenges, and impactful pop culture moments. The hosts bring their own personalities and insights, creating an engaging blend of storytelling and humor, making it appealing for listeners who enjoy history with a light-hearted touch. This approach likely fosters a sense of community among listeners, as many episodes prompt reflection on the absurdities of life thro... more

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How many listeners does Very Special Episodes get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Very Special Episodes 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 Very Special Episodes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Very Special Episodes:

1. Noble Blood
2. Hoax!
3. Ridiculous Crime
4. Decoder Ring
5. Stuff You Missed in History Class

How many episodes of Very Special Episodes are there?

Very Special Episodes launched 2 years ago and published 65 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 Very Special Episodes?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Very Special Episodes?

Recent guests on Very Special Episodes include:

1. Rob Reiner
2. Fred Logevall
3. Diane Tincher
4. Gianni Simone
5. Larry Mazza
6. Dr. Bonnie Dunbar
7. Jeff Jarvis
8. Wayne Marshall

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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