The Truth Tank

The Truth Tank

🎙️ The Truth Tank Podcast Investigating History • Conspiracies • Mysteries • Movies Truth to Tell. 🎧 Listen to the latest ↓

  1. Sep 27

    EP 116: TONY — Review, Book vs Film & The Life of Anthony Bourdain

    This is episode 116 of The Truth Tank Before Anthony Bourdain became the chef, writer and travelling storyteller we knew, there was Tony. In this episode, I dive into Tony, a fictionalised take on Bourdain’s early years, following a young and directionless Tony in 1970s Provincetown as a failed writing opportunity, a crush and a disastrous night out unexpectedly lead him into the chaos of a professional kitchen. From dishwasher to oyster station, Tony slowly discovers a passion for food — while the film explores kitchens, friendship, ambition, lies and finding a direction in life. I also take a personal look at my own experience working in kitchens and why some of the film’s chaotic kitchen scenes brought back memories of my time at McDonald’s. Part Two: Book vs FilmWhat did the film change, fictionalise or add to Bourdain’s story? How does Tony compare with the Anthony Bourdain we know from Kitchen Confidential? We also dig into the performances, cinematography, the 1970s atmosphere and Dominic Sessa’s portrayal of a young Bourdain. Part Three: Who Was Anthony Bourdain?From Vassar and the kitchens of New York to Les Halles, Kitchen Confidential, television, travel and becoming one of the world’s most recognisable food storytellers. We trace Bourdain’s journey, his struggles with addiction, his rise to fame and the legacy he left behind. Tony or Anthony?This is the story of the man before the legend. Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Dubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order) https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqq Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Sources: Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential & A Cook’s Tour, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2004. Anthony Bourdain — No Reservations — Travel Channel https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/anthony-bourdain-no-reservations Anthony Bourdain — Biography — Encyclopaedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anthony-Bourdain Anthony Bourdain — Biography — Biography.com https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/anthony-bourdain The Culinary Institute of America https://www.ciachef.edu/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain:_No_Reservations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain:_Parts_Unknown

    EP 116: TONY — Review, Book vs Film & The Life of Anthony Bourdain
  2. Sep 20

    EP 115: The End of Oak Street Review: Dinosaurs, the ’80s & Retro Nostalgia

    This is episode 115 of The Truth Tank This episode drops us back into the glorious ’80s — BBQs, brown and cream, Nike Cortez and suburban America — before things on Oak Street start getting very strange. David Robert Mitchell’s The End of Oak Street is part period family drama, part sci-fi mystery and part dinosaur movie, with an increasingly eerie, horror-tinged atmosphere. We look at the film’s unique dinosaur designs, its unusual visual style, the changing pace and tone, the family dynamics between the optimists and sceptics, and Tank’s love of the Nike Cortez. Then we dig deeper into the film’s inspirations, the strange invading the normal, Oak Street’s connection to Flowervale Street, Mitchell’s first big-budget film, and the comparisons to Spielberg and Amblin. But the nostalgia goes beyond the ’80s. We explore the film’s connection to the pulp science-fiction stories of the ’50s and ’60s, from Amazing Stories to Fantastic Adventures, along with influences and connections to The Simpsons and Back to the Future. Dinosaurs, time travel, suburban nostalgia, pulp sci-fi and something very strange invading the ordinary. Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Dubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order) https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqq Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Sources: https://ew.com/the-end-of-oak-street-david-robert-mitchell-exclusive-11985146?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/end-of-oak-street-director-addresses-cloverfield-spin-off-rumors-there-are-certainly-some-answers-in-there/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/dinosaurs-take-over-suburbia-in-first-trailer-for-it-follows-directors-intriguing-new-sci-fi-movie/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-end-of-oak-streets-original-ending-was-twilight-zone-style-twist?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://theweek.com/culture-life/film/movies-to-watch-in-august-end-oak-street-it-ends-one-night-only-wrong-girls?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://scified.com/news/first-clear-look-dinosaurs-end-oak-street-2026-movie?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    EP 115: The End of Oak Street Review: Dinosaurs, the ’80s & Retro Nostalgia
  3. Sep 13

    EP 114: Gods or Civilizations from the Stars with Antonio Alves Pt: 2

    This is episode 114 Of The Truth Tank In Part 2 of my conversation with Antonio Alves, we go even deeper down the rabbit hole. We begin with the Miracle of Fatima and the strange reports surrounding what witnesses claimed to have seen that day, before exploring UFO sightings near mountains, the mystery surrounding Lobsang Rampa and his book The Hermit, and the possibility of USOs — unidentified objects beneath the water. From there, we follow a trail connecting code 135917, the Vatican, alleged UFO crashes and cover-ups, and the long-running question of UFO disclosure. But the investigation doesn't stop there. We look at human evolution and the possibility that extraterrestrial intelligence may have influenced the development of modern humans — or even the controversial idea that humanity may not have originated on Earth at all. We explore the origins of the human soul, ancient conflicts and the mysterious Vimanas, global catastrophes, Noah's Ark, Enoch and the angels, and what ancient religious texts might tell us about humanity's forgotten past. We also question the history of time itself — how calendars have changed, how historians determine dates, how people measured time during the era of Jesus, and why certain books were excluded from the Bible. And then we turn to technology. Was knowledge deliberately hidden from Adam and Eve? What can the Tower of Babel tell us about humanity's relationship with technology? How much control has the Church exercised throughout history? Could humanity be heading toward a technological breaking point — and do we need a technological detox? Finally, we examine the possibility of an ET agenda operating through governments, the changing nature of technology, and where the growing movement for UFO disclosure could ultimately lead. Some ideas are historical. Some are religious. Some are controversial. And some remain firmly in the realm of speculation. The question is: where does the mystery end… and the truth begin? Read Antonio's Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Gods-Civilizations-Stars-Antonio-Alves-ebook/dp/B0F6XMZ8DB https://www.booktopia.com.au/gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars-antonio-alves/book/9798823033756.html?srsltid=AfmBOorL3EaIj6gDBxdjc-qZvOv8bi7kBvr7DB9CdMOfSM_8s6rbpsV5 https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/861649-gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Dubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order) https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqq Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Sources: Alves, Antonio. Gods or Civilisations from the Stars. AuthorHouse, 2025.

    EP 114: Gods or Civilizations from the Stars with Antonio Alves Pt: 2
  4. Sep 6

    EP 113: Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review, Comic Connections & The Evolution Of Peter Parker

    This is episode 113 of The Truth Tank Several years after the events of No Way Home, Peter Parker finds himself living alone, making his own suit and trapped in a rinse-and-repeat existence of working by day and fighting crime by night. Spider-Man: Brand New Day takes the character in a surprisingly different direction — blending superhero action with mystery, detective storytelling and a much more personal story about who Peter Parker is becoming. In this review, I look at the evolution of Spider-Man on screen, from the darker, more theatrical suits of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to the many different versions of Tom Holland's Spider-Man, and the retro-inspired suit that brings Brand New Day back to its comic-book roots. But the real focus is Peter Parker himself. What happens when Spider-Man gets older? How does the character evolve when the world around him changes? And can Peter ever escape the cycle of becoming Spider-Man, fighting crime and sacrificing his own life in the process? The film also introduces some fascinating ideas around Peter's changing body, his evolving arachnid DNA and a strange new threat that turns the story into something closer to a mystery than a traditional superhero movie. Emotion is another major part of Brand New Day. Tom Holland is excellent as an older Peter Parker who has become isolated from the people around him, while the story explores the lingering connection between Peter, MJ and Ned. But does the film's emotional ambition actually work? Or does the uneven pacing and lighter moments stop it from achieving the darker, more emotional Spider-Man story it seems to be reaching for? And then there's the biggest problem — the lack of a conventional villain. With the Hulk, the Punisher and Spider-Man entering the story, and a major twist opening the door to something much bigger, Brand New Day feels increasingly like a bridge between different parts of the MCU. I also continue Part 2 of Comic Connections, looking at: • Where the title Brand New Day comes from• The evolution and changing nature of Peter Parker• Can the MCU still make genuinely standalone superhero films?• Comic Connection #2 — The Great Web-Shooter Debate• Comic Connection #3 — When Hollywood Changed the Comics• The Raimi Effect and the influence of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man• The different cinematic Punishers — Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson and Jon Bernthal• How Brand New Day connects to what's coming next• And the film's box office performance With great VFX, an excellent Tom Holland performance and a willingness to take Spider-Man somewhere different, Brand New Day is an interesting experiment — even if it doesn't always stick the landing. Ultimately, is Brand New Day a new chapter for Spider-Man, or a creative bridge toward the next chapter of the MCU? Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Dubby (Use Code TruthTank26 For 10% Off Order) https://dubbysponsorship.goaffpro.com/shop/uthbceqq Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

    EP 113: Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review, Comic Connections & The Evolution Of Peter Parker
  5. Aug 30

    EP 112: The Trump Assassination Plots: What the Investigations Missed and Why It Matters With Ken Silva

    This is episode 112 of The Truth Tank In this episode we sit down with investigative journalist, author and editor of Headline USA, Ken Silva, to examine the assassination plots targeting Donald Trump and the questions that remain surrounding the investigations. Drawing largely from Ken’s book The Trump Assassination Plots: What the Investigations Missed and Why It Matters, we explore what he uncovered while investigating the July 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania shooting and the later assassination attempt in Florida. What did the official investigations uncover — and what did they leave unanswered? We discuss the evidence, the timelines, the security failures, Thomas Crooks and Ryan Routh, and the areas Ken believes deserved much greater scrutiny. This is a conversation about the evidence, the unanswered questions and Ken Silva’s investigation into two attempts to assassinate a former and future president of the United States. Get The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Assassination-Plots-Investigations-Matters-ebook/dp/B0H22R42FH?ref_=ast_author_mpb Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

    EP 112: The Trump Assassination Plots: What the Investigations Missed and Why It Matters With Ken Silva
  6. Aug 23

    EP 111: The Odyssey Files: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Review — Modern Myth, Modern Interpretation, or Misplaced Meaning? - Part 2

    This is episode 111 of The Truth Tank Picking up from Part 1, we continue our full review of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, focusing on the second half of the film, its climax, and the bigger questions raised by Nolan’s interpretation of Homer. We break down Nolan’s interpretation from every angle — the acting, casting, music, cinematography, practical and visual effects, costumes, armour, production design, historical accuracy, emotional core and, most importantly, how faithful the film actually is to Homer’s Odyssey. Nolan has said he wanted to honour Homer. But has he actually done that? We look at the film’s apparent rejection of the gods and the repeated idea of Odysseus “defying the gods,” and ask whether removing the divine from The Odyssey fundamentally changes what makes Homer’s story so powerful. We also examine Nolan’s focus on PTSD and psychological trauma, Odysseus’ hubris and responsibility for the suffering that follows the Trojan War, and whether Nolan’s interpretation adds something meaningful — or ultimately misses the point of the original poem. Then we turn to the world Nolan has created. Does the armour look convincing? How does it compare with Troy and other historical epics? Does the blend of practical and visual effects create a believable Bronze Age world? And why is creating a lived-in, believable world so important to historical and fantasy filmmaking? Finally, we step back and ask whether Nolan’s creativity has gone too far. Could another director have made a more authentic Odyssey? And what happens when a filmmaker’s vision begins to dilute the source material they set out to honour? Does Nolan’s The Odyssey capture the spirit of Homer — or lose what made the original epic so special? This is The Truth Tank. Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Sources:Homer, The Odyssey, translated by E. V. Rieu, revised by D. C. H. Rieu, with an introduction by Peter Jones (Penguin Books, 2003; first published 1946).

    EP 111: The Odyssey Files: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Review — Modern Myth, Modern Interpretation, or Misplaced Meaning? - Part 2
  7. Aug 22

    EP 110: Gods or Civilizations from the Stars with Antonio Alves Pt: 1 (Video)

    This is episode 110 of The Truth Tank In this episode of The Truth Tank, I’m joined by special guest Antonio Alves, author of Gods or Civilisations from the Stars, for a deeply personal conversation about a lifetime of unexplained experiences. Antonio’s journey into the world of UFOs and the unexplained began when he was just a child. Following his first encounter with a strange light in the sky, he says his perception of reality changed forever — including experiences of knowing things he felt he should not have known. Over the course of his life, Antonio has experienced multiple unexplained phenomena, including UFO encounters, encounters with mysterious individuals he identifies as the “Men in Black,” shared experiences involving members of his family, strange unlocked memories involving extraterrestrial contact, missing time and much more. In Part One, Antonio takes us back to the beginning of his story and explains how these experiences shaped his life, his research and ultimately led him to write his book, Gods or Civilisations from the Stars. This is Part One of Antonio Alves’ story. Read Antonio's Book: ⁠https://www.amazon.com.au/Gods-Civilizations-Stars-Antonio-Alves-ebook/dp/B0F6XMZ8DB⁠ ⁠https://www.booktopia.com.au/gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars-antonio-alves/book/9798823033756.html?srsltid=AfmBOorL3EaIj6gDBxdjc-qZvOv8bi7kBvr7DB9CdMOfSM_8s6rbpsV5⁠ ⁠https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/861649-gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars⁠ Merch: The Truth Tank Shop ⁠https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com⁠ Buy Me A Coffee  ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank⁠ Socials: Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/⁠ Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/⁠ Listen: Spotify ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su⁠ Apple ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905⁠ I Heart Radio ⁠https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779⁠ Castbox ⁠https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us⁠ Amazon ⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203⁠ Youtube ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q⁠ Audible  ⁠https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp⁠ Sources: Alves, Antonio. Gods or Civilisations from the Stars. AuthorHouse, 2025.

    EP 110: Gods or Civilizations from the Stars with Antonio Alves Pt: 1 (Video)
  8. Aug 16

    EP 110: Gods or Civilizations from the Stars with Antonio Alves Pt: 1

    This is episode 110 of The Truth Tank In this episode of The Truth Tank, I’m joined by special guest Antonio Alves, author of Gods or Civilisations from the Stars, for a deeply personal conversation about a lifetime of unexplained experiences. Antonio’s journey into the world of UFOs and the unexplained began when he was just a child. Following his first encounter with a strange light in the sky, he says his perception of reality changed forever — including experiences of knowing things he felt he should not have known. Over the course of his life, Antonio has experienced multiple unexplained phenomena, including UFO encounters, encounters with mysterious individuals he identifies as the “Men in Black,” shared experiences involving members of his family, strange unlocked memories involving extraterrestrial contact, missing time and much more. In Part One, Antonio takes us back to the beginning of his story and explains how these experiences shaped his life, his research and ultimately led him to write his book, Gods or Civilisations from the Stars. This is Part One of Antonio Alves’ story. Read Antonio's Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Gods-Civilizations-Stars-Antonio-Alves-ebook/dp/B0F6XMZ8DB https://www.booktopia.com.au/gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars-antonio-alves/book/9798823033756.html?srsltid=AfmBOorL3EaIj6gDBxdjc-qZvOv8bi7kBvr7DB9CdMOfSM_8s6rbpsV5 https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/861649-gods-or-civilizations-from-the-stars Merch: The Truth Tank Shop https://the-truth-tank-shop.creator-spring.com Buy Me A Coffee  https://buymeacoffee.com/thetruthtank Socials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetruthtank/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThetruthTank/ Listen: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0P4Hcqlgc6kCG0bYyAS2Su Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-tank/id1463256905 I Heart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/76110779 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/The-Truth-Tank-id5627421?country=us Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/791410e2-fa17-43e7-84db-6c81325f4203 Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhX1ZqvZx_xM59bk-tRa6Q Audible  https://www.audible.com.au/podcast/The-Truth-Tank/B08K6PRB1F?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Sources: Alves, Antonio. Gods or Civilisations from the Stars. AuthorHouse, 2025.

    EP 110: Gods or Civilizations from the Stars with Antonio Alves Pt: 1

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

🎙️ The Truth Tank Podcast Investigating History • Conspiracies • Mysteries • Movies Truth to Tell. 🎧 Listen to the latest ↓