Sofa King Podcast

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the hits and misses of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. This iconic band has changed styles and band members more than any in recent history. This is due to constant drug addiction and in-fighting. And boy, do I mean drug addiction. The lead singer, Anthony Kiedis, has been in and out of rehab several times and been fired from the band twice. Another member named Hillel Slovak died of an overdose. But, how long did it take Red Hot Chili Peppers to find true success? When did Kiedis propose to Blondie? Did he really lose his virginity to his father’s 18 year old girlfriend? Listen, laugh, learn.   Visit Our Sources: https://rockmusicrevival.com/2019/05/20/the-most-insane-stories-about-anthony-kiedis/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/red-hot-chili-peppers-new-album-frusciante-tour-1241119/ https://rwrant.co.za/red-hot-chili-peppers-facts/ https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/03/Singer-Anthony-Kiedis-convicted-of-sexual-battery-indecent-exposure/2421639115200/

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look at the biggest espionage case of the Cold War, which lead to the infamous killing of the Rosenbergs. Julius Rosenberg and Ethel Rosenberg were killed by electric chair in Sing Sing Prison on June 19 1953. They were both public and passionate communists. Julius allegedly had a handler from the Soviet union and helped recruit a spy ring of engineers. He was even able to get a few people from the Manhattan Project to become spies. Eventually, the couple got arrested and both were sentenced to death. However, several shifting testimonies and declassified documents came out over the following decades. It turns out the case wasn’t as cut and dry as it seemed, and Ethel in particular may have been wrongfully killed. So, who adopted their boys? What are their sons fighting to get the US government to do? What relative of theirs admitted to lying at the Rosenberg trial to save his own wife in court? Listen, laugh, learn.   Visit Our Sources https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/atom-spy-caserosenbergs https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rosenbergs-executed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_and_Ethel_Rosenberg https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/19/rosenbergs-executed-for-spying-1953-can-sons-reveal-truth https://www.atomicarchive.com/resources/biographies/rosenbergs.html 60 Minutes, October 16, 2016

On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we shine a light on one of the biggest scandals of the 90s and explore Tonya Harding and the infamous knee-capping incident. If you don’t know this story, it’s pretty crazy. It involves hit men attacking ice skaters, abusive mothers, abusive husbands, sex tapes, Reebok endorsements, and women giving interviews with birds on their shoulders. Tonya Harding was an ice skating prodigy who basically had a group of hit men and her ex-husband try to break the knee of her biggest competition for the Olympics. Her name was Nancy Kerrigan, and she was struck with a retractable baton on the way to competition in Detroit. This led to one of the biggest media explosions of all time. Harding’s level of involvement has always been in question, and Kerrigan went on to win at the Olympics but the tale is a wild one. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/athlete/tonya-harding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonya_Harding https://www.biography.com/athlete/nancy-kerrigan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Kerrigan https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/i-tonya-what-you-need-to-know-about-tonya-harding-and-nancy-kerrigan-120857/ https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/i-tonya/ https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/psg-attack-aminata-diallo-tonya-harding-explained

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we do some true crime and talk about William Bonin. He was called the Freeway Killer, and he was a true monster. His childhood ticked all the boxes of a future madman, and his time in Vietnam didn’t help any. Eventually, he became a serial rapist of under-aged boys, and then he devolved to murder. He had a sick cabal of other murderers he’d hang out with. Bonin also had a legit murder van. So, how did his one act of kindness lead to his downfall? How many did he kill in total? What his method of murder? What did he eat for a last meal? Warning—this is a pretty rough one. Listen, laugh, and learn.   Visit Our Sources: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/capital-punishment/inmates-executed-1978-to-present/william-george-bonin/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/william-bonin https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b1/bonin-william.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bonin https://www.thoughtco.com/serial-killer-william-bonin-973136

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about Nike. It is known around the world as the juggernaut of athletics. In fact, within a decade of opening, they controlled the majority of the sports equipment market. They were founded by a home-town coach and his student in Oregon. But they exploded into one of the most important corporations of a generation. Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman ran Nike. They helped create Michael Jordan, invented sneaker culture, and made us all want to “just do it.” They also cashed in on child labor, ran sweat shops, and help destroy the environment. If you want to hear the history and dark side of Nike, give this one a listen.   Visit Our Sources: https://interestingengineering.com/the-extraordinary-history-of-nike https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc. https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/news/why-is-nike-called-nike/ https://www.thestreet.com/lifestyle/history-of-nike-15057083 https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/73277/14-things-you-might-not-know-about-nike https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_sweatshops https://www.newidea.com.au/nike-sweatshops-the-truth-about-the-nike-factory-scandal https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31500/sneakerheads-brief-history-sneaker-collecting

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we look at the Amish. This uniquely American religious sect is most common in Pennsylvania but found throughout the Midwest. They famously avoid all technology, including electricity and the cell phone, but even down to running faucets for their baths. One thing they are famous for is a rite of passage called a Rumspringa. It allows teens to experience the world and get their freak on, partying, drinking, and doing things the church forbids. Once that is done, they get baptized in the local Amish church and leave the heathen world behind. From barn raising to the Ordnung laws and the truth of the Amish Mafia, this one has it all!   Visit Our Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_people https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5455572 https://www.history101.com/amish-facts/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m64X1hMCJoE https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/03/13/more-us-catholics-are-considering-leaving-church-over-sex-abuse-crisis-poll-says/ https://www.npr.org/2014/08/24/342474911/a-growing-backlash-against-amish-exploitation-in-pennsylvania https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URprZKBJa9g Meet the Amish 1 of 4 - First experience on an aeroplane - YouTube

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the one and only Snoop Dogg. This is a true rags to riches story. He was born as Calvin Broadus to a poor single mom in Long Beach. Through an amazing talent as a freestyle rapper and a lifelong career, he has grown to be a media mogul worth over $150 Million. However, his life as a rapper almost ended as soon as it started since he was arrested for a gang murder just after recording his first album with Dr. Dre. He was acquitted and went to create some of the all-time greatest lyrics in all of rap. With a smooth and unique voice and style, Snoop Dogg ended up befriending Martha Stewart, hosting the Olympics, creating a line of weed, and turning Colonel Sanders Vegan. His story is as unique as his rap style, and by the end of this you’ll know what’s his mutha fu*king name!   Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/musician/snoop-dogg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg https://wealthygorilla.com/snoop-dogg-net-worth/ https://www.phactual.com/15-bizarre-facts-about-snoop-dogg/ https://www.factinate.com/people/30-facts-about-snoop-dogg/ https://thebeet.com/snoop-dogg-beyond-meat-tailgate/ https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/snoop-doggs-raves-vegan-kfc/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/snoop-dogg-weed-line_n_56433db1e4b06037734701bf

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we fill you in on one of the most badass special forces units in the world, the Gurkha. These soldiers come from Nepal and have been involved in every war around the world since they formed in 1814. They are a strange mix of mercenaries and soldiers loyal to the British crown. We will tell you some of their tales of epic battle from both world wars, train robberies, and fights with the Taliban. This small group of warriors are considered the best of the best from their days battling the East India Company, to their time in the modern middle east.   Visit Our Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-10782099 https://www.gwt.org.uk/about-the-gurkhas/gurkhas/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurkha https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/gurkhas https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-06/bravest-of-the-brave-who-are-the-fierce-gurkhas/9839746 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2kxdSIq8Es https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CmGy5I_GU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2y63RtDDYQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8pIJglsYUE

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look at the cult known as The Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God and its insane leader, Ervil LeBaron. LeBaron was called the Mormon Manson after a crazy trail of murder, sex, suicide, and corruption. This group is like many cults with a charismatic leader who has sex with lots and lots of members. In this case, though, the members were sister-wives. And in this case, there was murder. So much murder! LeBaron killed his brother to take control of the cult, tried to kill his other brother, burned a town to the ground, killed his own daughter, and even murdered himself if such a thing is possible. This story is crazy, and the amount of twists, death, and turns rivals any cult we can think of.   Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ervil_LeBaron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_First_Born_of_the_Lamb_of_God https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38526255 https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/who-is-ervil-lebaron-and-how-is-his-family-connected-to-mexico-cartel-massacre https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/17/obituaries/ervil-lebaron-utah-polygamist-is-found-dead-in-his-prison-cell.html https://www.vice.com/en/article/gyz9y7/what-we-know-about-the-mormon-family-massacred-in-mexico https://www.vice.com/en/article/nn4knz/the-mexican-mormon-war-full-length

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about a true crime case. This is the story of Bernard Goetz, the Subway Vigilante. On December 22, 1984, Goetz was surrounded by four young men on a subway train who started asking him for five dollars. He thought he was being mugged, pulled out a revolver and shot all four of them. The aftermath saw him hailed as a hero and a villain, a vigilante and a racist. It is a complicated case all bound up with race, violence, gun control, and a New York city crime spree. If you like true crime, you’re gonna like this one.   Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/bernhard-goetz https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/subway-vigilante-turns-himself-in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_New_York_City_Subway_shooting https://www.famous-trials.com/goetz https://www.distractify.com/p/bernhard-goetz-now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbViU73txB0

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the most insane and alien creature that lives the planet Earth—the octopus. The amazing animals of Order Octopoda are smarter than a dog, and they have three hearts and 9 brains! That’s right, they have a main brain and then a different brain for each of their 8 arms. They use tools, create weapons out of other animals’ body parts, spew ink, and can become invisible at will. An octopus can remember faces, and they even hold grudges against some of their scientists and zoo keepers. They are unlike any other animal on earth, and some scientists even suggest they are aliens who landed on earth millions of years ago. Give this one a listen to find out why!   Visit Our Sources: https://biogeoplanet.com/why-do-octopuses-have-9-brains-8-arms-3-hearts-and-blue-blood-surprising-facts/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/octopuses-keep-surprising-us-here-are-eight-examples-how.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abRPaXgJGQg https://aquarium.org/exhibits/giant-pacific-octopus/ https://www.livescience.com/55478-octopus-facts.html https://www.livescience.com/41924-smart-octopus-facts.html https://biogeoplanet.com/how-smart-are-octopuses/ https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/123479-trending-science-do-octopuses-come-from-outer-space

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about an international terrorist conspiracy known as Operation Condor. This horrible operation was set up by eight South and Central American countries. It was responsible for the death, detention, assassination, murder, and disappearance of tens of thousands of people across multiple borders. People were even assassinated in Washington, D.C. And, of course, the CIA was involved. The whole thing was part of a strategy used by dictators such as Augusto Pinochet to keep power and destroy leftist thought. How much did the US know? How much was it involved? Which country had it worst? What was the Dirty War? How were most of the bodies disposed of? Listen, laugh, learn.   Visit Our Sources: https://medium.com/exploring-history/operation-condor-u-s-and-latin-americas-dirty-war-d59a7cfff77c https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Condor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_War https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/03/operation-condor-the-illegal-state-network-that-terrorised-south-america http://www.cels.org.ar/especiales/plancondor/en/#una-asociacion-ilicita-para-reprimir-opositores http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/chile/operation-condor.htm  

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the life, creations, and comic books of the one and only Stan Lee. He was born Stanley Martin Lieber and shortened his name to save it in case he ever wanted to quit comics and write a real novel. Thankfully, this never happened. Stan Lee created (or co-created) some of the greatest comic characters of all time. More than that, however, he made them humans. Reading an early Marvel comic was like becoming part of a large family, and this was all thanks to the style and marketing genius of Lee. His story takes him from a depression-era street-kid to a US Army propaganda film maker alongside Dr. Seuss, to the face of one of the greatest fictional universes ever created. Give this one a listen and then shout out a hearty, “Excelsior!” Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/media-figure/stan-lee https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2021/01/21/new-stan-lee-bio-true-believer-shatters-the-myths-surrounding-the-marvel-icon/?sh=466a963b3361 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Lee https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71299/10-amazing-fantastic-incredible-facts-about-comic-book-writer-stan-lee https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/authors/stan-lee-net-worth/ Marvel Characters and Comics That Stan Lee Created (insider.com)  

This episode of the Sofa King Podcast explores the grisly killing spree of the most famous Soviet serial killer, Andrei Chikatilo, aka “The Butcher of Rostov.” Between 1978 and 1990, he was thought to have killed a total of 56 people throughout the USSR, and he was responsible for one wrongful execution and several suicides. This was an especially interesting case because the investigation was hampered by the Soviet government who publicly claimed there was no such thing as a Russian serial killer and that this was a sickness only the decadent West could catch. Andrei Chikatilo fits many of the key ingredients of serial killers—he had a major illness as a child, an oppressive mother, sexual dysfunction, high intelligence, and of course a cold cunning. He grew up in Stalin’s Ukraine during the massive food shortages and famines that his regime caused, and Chikatilo also lived with the shame of a father who was captured by the Germans during WWI (it was a major taboo for them). The worst part was that his childhood hydrocephalic condition caused him to wet his bed well into his later years and kept him from being able to get an erection. The sexual frustration and humiliation of his childhood years twisted him into a monster and killer. So who were his targest? He mostly liked underage girls, but he would take anyone. He wasn’t that picky. All of his targets met the same horrible end. He would stab them at least 20 times, using the knife as a surrogate penis. He would tie them up, stuff leaves and dirt in their mouths, and ejaculate on them as their death struggle sexually excited him. He would also cut off body parts and even bite off nipples. Yes, he was really crazy and horrible. So, how did he eventually get caught if the government didn’t publicly admit he existed? What lead to him being called the “Forest Strip Killer?” How did he father children if he could never get an erection? Why would Andrei Chikatilo gouge out the eyes of his victims? What body parts would he nibble on? Listen, laugh, learn.

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we travel back in time and look at the Aztec people. They were the largest empire in the history of Mesoamerica. They were famous for being amazing warriors, and they were equally famous for their religious sacrifice. You see, they thought the sun would only keep burning if it was fed blood, so sometimes they scarified 80,000 humans a year! This culture dominated their region in only fifty short years, and their advances in agriculture, art, and trade have never been rivaled. So what brought them down? How fast was their fall? Who was Montezuma, and did he really swear to get revenge? This one gets good and bloody! Listen, laugh, learn.   Visit our Sources: https://www.ushistory.org/civ/11d.asp https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/unearthing-the-secrets-of-the-aztecs/ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/aztec-civilization/ https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/aztecs https://www.chimuadventures.com/blog/2016/09/aztecs-interesting-facts/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztecs