
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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 92 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryEducation | |||

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. But her biggest mystery unfolded outside the pages of her books. In this episode, Dana examines the 11 days in 1926 when the beloved author went missing, and the rollicking media circus inspir... more
After a party at Nicolas Cage’s Bel-Air mansion, one of the rarest comic books on Earth disappeared. Action Comics #1 — the comic that introduced Superman — is worth millions of dollars. With almost no evidence and a suspect list that includes employ... more
When two of the most influential figures in film become the personal hostages of Kim Jong Il, they have two objectives: to elevate North Korean cinema on the world stage, and to plot their daring escape.
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We're hard at work on our next season o... more
Velvalee Dickinson ran a doll shop on Madison Avenue that catered to wealthy collectors. But in one of the strangest espionage cases of World War II, Dickinson's clients had no idea she was using correspondence about doll orders to transmit coded U.S... more
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Good stories but...
Way too many modernisms and references that are probably only good in two streets of LA.
Tried for a while but the fake laughing made me give up. Seems there are no real people left in California. At least if you put a microphone next to them.
Some weeks you’ll get something fascinating. Others are meh. A few have me taking off my headphones at the end and wondering what was the point of all that. I have to agree with another reviewer that the Andy the Goose story was useless. Just a way for a woman to capitalize on her poor grandfather’s dead pet. No justice or anything, just 💰. This is the most uneven podcast I listen to, and if it goes off the air, I won’t miss it all that much. Listen to the hosts’ other works instead.
The research and narratives are unreal and I love all the presenters and follow their other podcasts but the non stop background music on these ones drives me insane. Would be so good with just a little negative space.. please. I beg you. Every sentence doesn’t need a backup singer
Good stories
Slightly too much modernisms and references that are probably only good in two sheets of LA.
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.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #250 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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Stories that read like true-life thrillers, focusing on extraordinary people and unusual events in history, pop culture, and niche subcultures. Each episode blends meticulous research with first-person anecdotes and expert context, producing immersive narratives that feel cinematic yet informative. Highlights include insider perspectives on famous heists, long-form investigations into cultural phenomena, and deep dives into historically rich figures, all served with a storytelling style that favors curiosity, empathy, and human-centered angles. A notable strength is the show's ability to pair archival insight with contemporary reflections, making complex histories accessible and engaging for listeners who crave well-told, proven narratives ... more
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Very Special Episodes launched 3 years ago and published 92 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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Recent guests on Very Special Episodes include:
1. Joe Pompeo
2. Stephen Fischler
3. Jen Bosworth-Ramirez
4. Lisa Napoli
5. Dick Starmann
6. Vincent Conair
7. Dave Combs
8. Thrandy Hudgens
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