Very Special Episodes

A waste management specialist unearths thousands of Atari games buried in a New Mexico landfill. As gaming historians rejoice, he plots to turn Atari’s unwanted trash into cash. Note: This week's VSE is a bonus episode from the podcast The Legend of SwordQuest, hosted by Jamie Loftus and written by Jake Rossen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1981, 11-year-old Matt De Meritt got a phone call that would change his life. He wasn’t a child actor, or a performer of any kind. He was just a suburban kid enjoying his summer before he had to go back to school. But Matt had something no other kid had — something Steven Spielberg needed in order to embark on his most ambitious movie yet.  Note: This episode contains discussions of suicide. Please take care while listening. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Mary Dooe, Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors are Jess Krainchich and Juliet EnglishOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Jake Rossen and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Special thanks to Simon Brew. Check out the Film Stories podcast! Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at [email protected]. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart ducked out of a White House event and commandeered a plane. The First Lady and the first lady of aviation flew to Baltimore and back. The event was documented by journalists, and later recounted in books. But there was more to this spontaneous joyride that didn't make the papers.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dylan HeuerProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Dylan Heuer and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at [email protected]. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. But her biggest mystery unfolded outside the pages of her books. Today Dana examines the 11 days in 1926 when the beloved author went missing, and the rollicking media circus inspired by her disappearance. 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 us down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday. VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Joe PompeoProduced by Josh FisherStory Editor is Marisa BrownEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors are Brittany Joyner and Steve BradfordOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Joe Pompeo and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at [email protected]. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.