Controversial Figures artwork

Controversial Figures

22 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago -

Welcome to Controversial Figures; a podcast about intriguing figures in the media. Created by Tammy Hawkins. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a 5 star rating and comment; and subscribe to the show so you never miss a new episode. I've created this podcast with no sponsor; it would mean the world to me if you visit Patreon and donate anything you can, so I can continue bringing new content regularly. https://www.patreon.com/controversialfigurespod

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Episodes

Episode 14: Larry Flynt Part 1 (Freedom of Speech Defender & Erotic Entertainment Purveyor)

December 01, 2020 16:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MB

Larry Flynt might be a name you are familiar with; he's been featured in books, movies, and quite a few news stories over the past 4 decades. Larry has had 5 wives, 5 children, and many, many businesses. His most infamous business being Hustler magazine which became famous for publishing erotic content others would not in the mainstream. So, how did a poor, Eastern Kentucky farm boy become a millionaire pornography kingpin during the conservative times of 1970s American media? And how did...

Episode 13: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (The Notorious RBG)

October 16, 2020 19:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MB

Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired many during her 87 years of life, and certainly during her 27 years serving as a justice on the US Supreme Court, the 2nd woman to ever do so in America.  Ruth was strong in her values and the absolute definition of grit. She would be notably dubbed "The Notorious R.B.G." by a law student via a popular Tumblr page, and named on Forbes magazine's list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, and Time magazine's 100 most influential People. So, how did Ruth break ...

Episode 11: Julian Assange Part 2 (Hacker Interrupted)

September 20, 2020 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MB

We start Part 2 of the Julian Assange story with many questions. Will Julian Assange evade extradition and his numerous looming legal charges? Did Julian assist Russia with illegal United States Presidential election interference in 2016? Did Julian help Edward Snowden escape capture by the United States? And maybe most controversially - did Julian really date Pamela Anderson? Find out all of this and much, much more on the Part 2 of wild and crazy Julian Assange today on Controversial Figur...

Episode 12: Julian Assange Part 2 (Hacker Interrupted)

September 20, 2020 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MB

We start Part 2 of the Julian Assange story with many questions. Will Julian Assange evade extradition and his numerous looming legal charges? Did Julian assist Russia with illegal United States Presidential election interference in 2016? Did Julian help Edward Snowden escape capture by the United States? And maybe most controversially - did Julian really date Pamela Anderson? Find out all of this and much, much more on the Part 2 of wild and crazy Julian Assange today on Controversial Figur...

Episode 11: Julian Assange Part 1 (Robinhood of Hacking?)

September 04, 2020 03:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MB

How did Julian Assange, a convicted Australian teenage hacker of the 1990s, become a secret revealing refugee on the run, attempting to evade extradition? Why did America to investigate if he broke the espionage act? And did Julian really hang out with Lady Gaga in London?  Find out all of this and more on Part 1 of Julian Assange today on Controversial Figures. Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast Episode Sources: Independent. Julian Assange - https://www.indepe...

Episode 10: Madalyn Murray O'Hair (The Most Hated Woman in America)

August 23, 2020 01:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MB

How did activist atheist and Most Hated Woman in America Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her family end up dismembered, burned, and buried? Find out today on Controversial Figures. Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast Episode Sources: My San Antonio. The True Story Behind the San Antonio Kidnapping and Murder. https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/true-crime-SA-kidnapping-murder-Madalyn-OHair-11017782.php Newsweek Madalyn Murray O'Hair Biopic https://www.new...

Episode 9: Lou Pearlman (Back Street Boy and NSYNC Defrauder)

August 09, 2020 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MB

American business man Lou Pearlman created some of the biggest boy bands in the 1990s, including NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, O Town, and LFO to name a few. Lou even called himself the 6th Backstreet Boy. These bands were performing to sold out concerts while selling merch and hundreds of millions of albums to screaming fans around the world.   It was estimated that Lou Pearlman's peak net worth was $300 million during the boy band craze era in the 1990s and early 2000s. So how did Lou  end...

Episode 8: Lance Armstrong Part 2 (Doping Boogaloo)

July 19, 2020 18:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MB

As we discussed in the previous episode of Controversial Figures, American Lance Armstrong had just announced his 2nd retirement in 2011 at the age of 33. This was after winning a record breaking seven consecutive Tour de France races as a recent cancer survivor, and having only recently returned from his previous retirement. It was a shock that such a talented and successful athlete would suddenly announce his retirement.   But the revelations that would occur soon after Lance's retiremen...

Episode 7: Lance Armstrong Part 1 (Tour de France Doper)

July 05, 2020 03:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MB

Lance Armstrong was regarded as an elite cycling superstar. Between the years of 1999 to 2005, Lance had obtained seven consecutive Tour de France wins - something no one has ever achieved before, or since. He was considered by many to be the best athlete in his sport at the time. And even more stunning? Just 2 years prior to first of these consecutive wins, Lance had been diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain; and not only did Lance survive, but seemingly ...

Episode 6: Belle Gibson (Cancer Wellness Scammer)

June 28, 2020 04:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

Belle Gibson was followed and endorsed by holistic medicine practitioners, food as medicine believers, and cancer survivors alike. Belle had created the wildly popular The Whole Pantry blog describing how she had cured herself of multiple cancers.  It was estimated Belle and her company were worth millions. So how did Belle become worth exactly $0 in 2015? And where is Belle today? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast. Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresP...

Episode 5: Martin Shkreli (Pharma Bro)

June 20, 2020 15:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

By his early 30s, Martin Shkreli had held a variety of impressive roles; he was the co-founder of multiple successful hedge funds, CEO of biotechnology firm Retrophin; and founder and CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals. So, how did young Martin Shkreli, with no formal training in chemistry and a Bachelor's Degree in business administration, become a pharmaceutical CEO and have an estimated worth by Fortune magazine in 2016 of $45 million?  And how did Martin Shkreli only a few years later become...

Episode 4: Oscar Pistorius (Blade Runner Murderer)

June 13, 2020 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MB

Oscar Pistorius was an inspiration to many. Born without his lower legs, Oscar would later in life become the tenth athlete in history to compete at both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games in the same year. Oscar was honored in Time Magazine's 100 list of most influential people, appeared on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, and had sponsorship deals worth $2 million. So how would it come to be that only months later, Oscar Pistorius would be on trial for murder, with that trial ultimately going ...

Episode 3: Elizabeth Holmes

June 07, 2020 04:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

In 2015, Forbes magazine named Elizabeth Holmes the youngest self-made female billionaire in America. She was the enigmatic founder and majority owner of consumer healthcare technology company Theranos; a company valued at near $10 billion and backed by distinguished figures such as Henry Kissinger. So, how did it come to be that Elizabeth and her company would be worth essentially nothing only 1 year later and facing criminal charges? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast. Co...

Episode 3: Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos Blood Test Scammer)

June 07, 2020 04:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

In 2015, Forbes magazine named Elizabeth Holmes the youngest self-made female billionaire in America. She was the enigmatic founder and majority owner of consumer healthcare technology company Theranos; a company valued at near $10 billion and backed by distinguished figures such as Henry Kissinger. So, how did it come to be that Elizabeth and her company would be worth essentially nothing only 1 year later and facing criminal charges? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast. Co...

Controversy Bite: Tania Head

June 03, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MB

Tania Head was known for widely sharing her harrowing September 11, 2001 survival story. As she'd explain it, she was on the 78th floor of the south tower when the World Trade Center building was hit by the second plane, making her one of only nineteen people at or above the point of plane impact to have survived. Tania was also known for her tireless efforts running the World Trade Center Survivor's Network, supporting  others affected by the attacks. So, why after only a few years of leadi...

Controversy Bite: Tania Head (9/11 Scammer)

June 03, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MB

Tania Head was known for widely sharing her harrowing September 11, 2001 survival story. As she'd explain it, she was on the 78th floor of the south tower when the World Trade Center building was hit by the second plane, making her one of only nineteen people at or above the point of plane impact to have survived. Tania was also known for her tireless efforts running the World Trade Center Survivor's Network, supporting  others affected by the attacks. So, why after only a few years of leadi...

Episode 2: Gypsy Blanchard

May 31, 2020 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MB

Young Gypsy Blanchard was very ill. According to her mother Dee Dee, Gypsy suffered from leukemia, asthma, muscular dystrophy,  and had the "mental capacity of a 7-year-old". Gypsy was restricted to a wheelchair with a feeding tube providing her nourishment. Gypsy's prognosis was so grim, she and her mother received life changing help from notable charities. So, how did Gypsy Rose end up walking on her own 2 legs into jail after aiding in the savage killing of her own mother?  Find out today...

Episode 2: Gypsy Blanchard (Munchausen Victim)

May 31, 2020 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MB

Young Gypsy Blanchard was very ill. According to her mother Dee Dee, Gypsy suffered from leukemia, asthma, muscular dystrophy,  and had the "mental capacity of a 7-year-old". Gypsy was restricted to a wheelchair with a feeding tube providing her nourishment. Gypsy's prognosis was so grim, she and her mother received life changing help from notable charities. So, how did Gypsy Rose end up walking on her own 2 legs into jail after aiding in the savage killing of her own mother?  Find out today...

Edward Snowden Post Episode Interview with Ben Ricker

May 29, 2020 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

Welcome to the Controversial Figures: Post Episode Interview after Episode 1, Edward Snowden! In today's episode, I interview Ben Ricker, an experienced security profesional about his thoughts on the episode. He answers my question as to whether Edward Snowden is an angel or a devil...what are your thoughts? Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast Episode Sources: Documentary Movie - Citizenfour  https://citizenfourfilm.com/  Music: The 6 is Silent by Skyjelly Su...

Episode 1: Edward Snowden (NSA Whistleblower)

May 25, 2020 22:00 - 11 minutes - 7.94 MB

American Edward Snowden has been living on the lam for over 7 years in foreign countries, attempting to escape international and domestic espionage and property theft charges filed against him in 2013 by the United States of America. How did a professed patriot at heart and former Army private with the highest levels of security clearance end up as America's Number 1 Enemy? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast. Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast E...

Episode 1: Edward Snowden

May 25, 2020 22:00 - 11 minutes - 7.94 MB

American Edward Snowden has been living on the lam for over 7 years in foreign countries, attempting to escape international and domestic espionage and property theft charges filed against him in 2013 by the United States of America. How did a professed patriot at heart and former Army private with the highest levels of security clearance end up as America's Number 1 Enemy? Find out today on the Controversial Figures Podcast. Connect with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiguresPodcast E...

TEASER: Edward Snowden - Controversial Figures Introduction

May 24, 2020 01:00 - 30 seconds - 404 KB

Welcome to Controversial Figures; a podcast about intriguing figures in the media. Created by Tammy Hawkins. This is the introduction for the first episode of Controversial Figures in which we will cover Edward Snowden. The full episode will be released in coming days. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

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@figurespodcast 21 Episodes