Podcast

Fiasco

From Luminary Government, History

Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country's most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present.

Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history.

Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t.

Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida.

Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.

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Government chart
#33
Episodes
44
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
51 min
On air since
2023
Latest episode
1 month ago

Episodes

44 episodes, from the first

Season 1

  1. Introducing Fiasco: The AIDS Crisis Trailer

    Show notes

    From the co-creators of Slow Burn, Fiasco is a narrative podcast that transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of America’s most pivotal historical events.

    Using original interviews with dozens of key players, host Leon Neyfakh brings to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present day. The new season of Fiasco goes deep on the AIDS epidemic in America, with a special focus on the early years of the crisis, when a diagnosis was tantamount to a death sentence. The eight-part series looks at the mystery and missteps around identifying and treating a new, contagious disease, and what it took to get the public - and the government - to care.

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    2 min
  2. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 1 - Gay Plague

    Episode 1

    Show notes

    How doctors and scientists responded to the arrival of a strange and terrifying new disease.

    You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod.

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  3. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 2 - How to Have Sex in an Epidemic

    Episode 2

    Show notes

    As the AIDS crisis worsens, gay men in New York City improvise a response, forming alliances and drawing battle lines.

    You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod.

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  4. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 3 - The Baths

    Episode 3

    Show notes

    A debate rages in San Francisco over whether or not to close the city’s famous bathhouses, as government officials and gay rights advocates weigh the implications for civil liberties and public health.

    You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod.

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    54 min
  5. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 4 - Blood

    Episode 4

    Show notes

    AIDS spreads through the country's blood supply, endangering people with hemophilia and leading to a breakthrough about the cause of the disease.

    You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  6. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 5 - Leading Men

    Episode 5

    Show notes

    One of the most famous actors in Hollywood tries to keep his diagnosis under wraps - and ends up becoming the face of AIDS in America. You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  7. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 6 - Drugs into Bodies

    Episode 6

    Show notes

    A new coalition of AIDS activists takes on the American medical establishment, pushing for access to clinical trials and experimental drugs.

    You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
  8. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 7 - Lazarus

    Episode 7

    Show notes

    After years of frustration and despair, scientists finally make a breakthrough. You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  9. The AIDS Crisis: Episode 8 - No Harm

    Episode 8

    Show notes

    The Clinton administration promises a new approach to the AIDS epidemic — but gets bogged down in the politics of sex, drugs, and morality.

    You can find a list of books, articles, and documentaries we used in our research at http://bit.ly/fiascopod

    If you like this series, mark your calendars: a new season of Fiasco is coming July 27, 2023, exclusively on Audible. Fiasco: Vigilante tells the story of a shooting that took place in 1984 on the New York City subway, leaving four Bronx teenagers gravely wounded and turning a man named Bernie Goetz into a national folk hero. Fiasco: Vigilante offers a panoramic but intimate view of how this era-defining story unfolded, giving voice for the first time to key players, and immersing listeners in the gritty, paranoid world of ’80s New York City. Listen to the trailer now at http://adbl.co/vigilante, only on Audible.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    57 min

Season 2

  1. Trailer: Bush v. Gore Trailer

    Show notes

    Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida in the aftermath of Election Day.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    3 min
  2. Bush v. Gore: Episode 1 – Homestead

    Episode 1

    Show notes

    How the largely forgotten race between Al Gore and George W. Bush roiled Florida long before anyone had ever heard of a hanging chad.

    For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
  3. Bush v. Gore: Episode 2 – Real Numbers

    Episode 2

    Show notes

    On election night 2000 an ad hoc network of statisticians, news producers, TV anchors, and political operatives tried to figure out what the hell was going on in Florida–and failed spectacularly.

    For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  4. Bush v. Gore: Episode 3 – Ballot With Butterfly Wings

    Episode 3

    Show notes

    What happened in Palm Beach County when a bitterly-contested national election came to town–and who paid the price?

    For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  5. Bush v. Gore: Episode 4 – Spin-Off

    Episode 4

    Show notes

    How public relations battles yielded big legal wins for the Bush team.

    For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  6. Bush v. Gore: Episode 5 – Contingencies

    Episode 5

    Show notes

    Democrats and Republicans hope for the best and plan for the worst.

    For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    46 min
  7. Bush v. Gore: Episode 6 – No Precedent

    Episode 6

    Show notes

    In the season finale: How the 2000 presidential election was distilled and decided in a case called Bush v. Gore.

    For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  8. Bush v. Gore: Bonus - A Mile In Their Shoes Bonus

    Episode 7

    Show notes

    An interview with Brian Noyes, who worked on the Bush 2000 presidential campaign, and what it was like to feel like an election is being stolen. Noyes oversaw an oral history project with recount alums from the Bush campaign.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min
  9. Bush v. Gore: Bonus - Inside the Florida Secretary of State’s Office During the 2000 Recount Bonus

    Episode 8

    Show notes

    Conversations with Florida’s former Secretary of State Katherine Harris, the Bush supporter who presided over the 2000 recount, and self-described Republican operative and “Bush liege” who embedded in Harris’s office during the recount and helped her bring the election “in for a landing.”

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  10. Bush v. Gore: Bonus - Information Wars Bonus

    Episode 9

    Show notes

    A conversation with Craig Waters, spokesman for the Florida Supreme Court, about becoming the face of an embattled, apolitical institution during a partisan battle.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 min
  11. Bush v. Gore: Bonus - What If… Bonus

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    An interview with Ralph Nader on his role as a “spoiler” in the 2000 election, and historian Mary Frances Berry, who led the 2001 commission looking into the impact that ballot box irregularities involving Black voters may have had on the outcome in Florida.

    See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min

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