Behind the Bastards

Behind the Bastards

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 ideology, the founder of Blackwater’s insane quest to build his own Air Force, the bizarre lives of the sons and daughters of dictators and Saddam Hussein’s side career as a trashy romance novelist.
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Episode's summary

In part 2, Dennis Hastert lucks his way into becoming Speaker of the House and helps Congress redefine corruption for the 21st century. And then, after his retirement, it all comes crashing down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

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Part Two: Dennis Hastert: The Longest-Serving Republican Speaker of the House

In part 2, Dennis Hastert lucks his way into becoming Speaker of the House and helps Congress redefine corruption for the 21st century. And then, after his retirement, it all comes crashing down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05 Nov 2026
1258-

Part One: Dennis Hastert: The Longest-Serving Republican Speaker of the House

Robert tells Miles Gray the tangled story of Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House, pioneer of congressional corruption, and pedophile. Sources: Prosecutors detail sex abuse allegations against Dennis Hastert | PBS News Weekend Dennis Hastert Dies at 84: Timeline of Scandals, Controversies and Criminal Conviction - Newsweek Uncovering the Dennis Hastert cover-up | Bloom Fudali Former Speaker Dennis Hastert indicted - POLITICO Hastert returns to his humble beginnings after historic career -- Daily Herald Washingtonpost.com: Plain-Talking Hastert Poised to Be Speaker House Speaker Dennis Hastert Can Win Friends, But Can He Influence People? - Page 9 - tribunedigital-chicagotribune Biography of Speaker J. Dennis Hastert | Dickstein Shapiro Ex-Yorkville school chief recalls no misconduct complaints against Hastert - Chicago Tribune Payments by Hastert Linked to Report of Sexual Abuse - NYTimes.com Dennis Hastert has a history of keeping secrets - Vox See omnystudio.com/listener for…

03 Nov 2026
1257-

It Could Happen Here Weekly 256

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file: Israeli Elections and the Palestinians 2026 Elections (The Union Ones) ¡El Chupacabras! Kim Kelly's Morbid Labor Tales Executive Disorder: Lula’s Victory, AI Election Ads, Voter Fraud, Revolt in Albania You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! Sources/Links: Israeli Elections and the Palestinians Israel's Elections: What's at Stake?, International Crisis Group (Max Rodenbeck, Mairav Zonszein, Amjad Iraqi), 15 October 2026 A Jewish Currents Guide to the Israeli Elections, Josh Nathan-Kazis, Jewish Currents, 20 October 2026 Occupied Thoughts interview with Sami Abu Shehadeh https://fmep.org/resource/barred-from-knesset-elections-sami-abu-shehadeh-on-the-state-of-israeli-democracy/ Prospect magazine op-ed on the settlers and the state -…

31 Oct 2026
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Part Two: Peter Rachman: King of the Slumlords

Robert concludes the thrilling tale of the life of Peter Rachman by explaining how his death was used by even worse Slumlords to evade any responsibility for their crimes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Oct 2026
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Part One: Peter Rachman: King of the Slumlords

Peter Rachman was a London landlord so bad, his last name became an internationally recognized synonym for "shitty slumlord". In these episodes, Robert explains how he went from fleeing the Nazis, to fleecing the British. https://archive.is/EXu9c#selection-1535.829-1539.80 https://www.unseenhistories.com/the-murky-world-of-peter-rachman-neil-root/ https://www.thejc.com/life/books/how-landlord-rachmans-name-became-a-household-word-for-the-worst-reasons-mrrpna3a https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/krays-christine-keeler-cheap-flats-36683606 https://www.londonhistorians.org/index.php?s=file_download&id=71 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/home-office-could-not-get-rid-of-notorious-rachman-178265.html https://www.thesteepletimes.com/the-fog/redefining-rachman/ https://andyshistoricalmusings.wordpress.com/2024/08/05/who-was-peter-rachman-the-slum-landlord/ https://bnp.org.uk/rogue-landlords/ https://julesbirch.com/2012/10/24/revealing-the-real-rachman/…

27 Oct 2026