pplpod

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends. Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

  1. 1 HR AGO

    Jim Bakker: From PTL Empire to Doomsday Prepper

    In this episode of pplpod, we explore the dramatic rise, fall, and reinvention of televangelist Jim Bakker. We look back at the 1970s and 80s, when Bakker and his wife Tammy Faye built the PTL Satellite Network and Heritage USA, a Christian theme park that became the third most successful in the United States. We discuss the explosive 1987 scandals that dismantled his empire, including the hush money paid to Jessica Hahn to cover up alleged sexual misconduct and the fierce rivalries with fellow evangelists Jerry Falwell and Jimmy Swaggart. We also examine Bakker's conviction on 24 counts of fraud for overselling "lifetime memberships" to his theme park hotels, leading to a five-year stint in federal prison. Finally, we cover his surprising return to television with his second wife, Lori, and his drastic pivot from "prosperity theology" to apocalyptic survivalism. Tune in to hear how the man who once preached wealth now sells buckets of freeze-dried food for the end of days and faces legal battles over selling silver supplements as a cure for COVID-19.

    33 min

  2. 1 HR AGO

    Name It and Claim It: The Rise and Riches of the Prosperity Gospel

    Does God want you to be rich? In this episode of pplpod, we deep-dive into Prosperity Theology, a polarizing movement within Charismatic Christianity that claims financial blessing and physical well-being are the divine right of every believer. Also known as the "health and wealth" gospel or the "Word of Faith" movement, this theology interprets faith as a mechanism to activate a contract with God: through positive confession and donations, believers can claim material success,,. Join us as we trace the history of this movement, from its roots in 19th-century New Thought philosophy and the American "Gospel of Wealth" to the post-WWII Healing Revivals,,. We discuss how early figures like E.W. Kenyon and Oral Roberts pioneered concepts like "seed-faith"—the idea that donations are seeds that will grow into greater wealth for the giver,. We also explore the global explosion of prosperity theology, from the rise of U.S. televangelism and megachurches led by figures like Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland to its massive growth in Nigeria, South Korea, and the Philippines,,. Finally, we examine the intense controversy surrounding the movement. We look at the criticism from mainstream theologians who view the teaching as heretical and contrary to the Bible's message of humility,,. We also discuss the financial scandals, including Senate investigations into ministry spending and the public outcry over preachers soliciting funds for multimillion-dollar private jets,, . Tune in to understand the theology that promises miracles in exchange for faith—and the complex debate over whether it empowers the poor or exploits them,.

    39 min

  3. 1 HR AGO

    Tammy Faye: Mascara, Ministry, and Redemption

    In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the colorful and tumultuous life of Tammy Faye Messner (formerly Bakker). Known for her "eccentric and glamorous persona," Tammy Faye was far more than just a televangelist with heavy makeup. From co-founding The PTL Club and the massive Christian theme park Heritage USA to becoming an unlikely gay icon, we explore how she carved out a unique space in American pop culture,,. Join us as we discuss: • The Rise and Fall of PTL: How Tammy Faye and her first husband, Jim Bakker, built a multimillion-dollar religious empire that collapsed under the weight of fraud convictions and the Jessica Hahn scandal,. • Breaking the Mold: Unlike many of her evangelical peers, Tammy Faye refused to denounce the LGBT community. We look back at her groundbreaking interview with a pastor suffering from AIDS at the height of the epidemic, where she urged Christians to show compassion. • Survival and Pop Culture: Life after the scandal, including her marriage to Roe Messner, her stint on VH1’s The Surreal Life with Vanilla Ice, and her status as "the ultimate drag queen",,. • Her Final Years: Her highly publicized, 11-year battle with cancer and her enduring legacy in film and musical theater, including the Oscar-winning movie The Eyes of Tammy Faye,. Tune in for a look at the woman who wrote, "I Will Survive... and You Will Too!".

    33 min

  4. 1 HR AGO

    The Dark Side of the Blockchain: Rug Pulls, Ransomware, and the Billion-Dollar Crypto Crime Wave

    In this episode of pplpod, we explore the illicit underbelly of digital assets, where investment fraud and hacks resulted in billions of dollars in losses in 2024 alone. We break down the evolution of crypto crime, ranging from the early days of the Silk Road to the rise of "pig butchering" romance scams and high-profile Ponzi schemes like OneCoin and BitConnect. Join us as we analyze the mechanics behind the industry's biggest threats, including: • The Heists: How state-backed hackers, such as North Korea's Lazarus Group, and other cybercriminals exploited exchanges and blockchain bridges to steal billions. • The Cons: The prevalence of "rug pulls" in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and giveaway scams impersonating figures like Elon Musk. • The Malware: The threats of ransomware, which extorted over $800 million in 2024, and "cryptojacking," where devices are hijacked to mine coins without consent. Finally, we discuss how global law enforcement is fighting back using blockchain tracing to seize assets and enforcing new anti-money laundering regulations on NFTs and virtual service providers.

    41 min

  5. 1 HR AGO

    The Real World: Seven Strangers, One Fishbowl, and the Birth of Modern Reality TV

    This week on pplpod, we revisit the "true story" that launched the modern reality TV genre: MTV’s The Real World. We discuss how producers Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray pivoted from a scripted concept to casting "regular people" inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary An American Family. Tune in as we break down the show’s evolution from a socially conscious documentary covering critical issues like AIDS and prejudice—exemplified by the impact of Pedro Zamora in the San Francisco season—to its later reputation as a showcase for immaturity and "hot tub" partying. We also pull back the curtain on production secrets, including the invention of the "confessional," the fishbowl metaphor of the houses, and the strict rules regarding physical violence and drug use. Finally, we explore the franchise’s massive legacy, from spin-offs like The Challenge to the recent Homecoming reunions. Find out what really happened when people stopped being polite and started getting real.

    28 min

  6. 1 HR AGO

    Beyond the Siege: The History, Schisms, and Survival of the Branch Davidians

    In this episode of pplpod, we delve into the complex history of the Branch Davidians, a religious group forever linked to the tragic 1993 Waco siege. We trace the sect's origins back to 1955, when founder Benjamin Roden established the group as a continuation of the Davidian Seventh-Day Adventists following a schism with the original movement’s leadership. Join us as we explore the turbulent power struggles at the Mount Carmel Center, including the rise of Vernon Howell—later known as David Koresh—who utilized an affair with prophetess Lois Roden and an armed confrontation with her son, George Roden, to seize control of the compound. We examine the events leading up to the 51-day standoff with the ATF and FBI, which resulted in the deaths of four federal agents and 82 sect members, including 76 in the final fire on April 19, 1993. Finally, we discuss the identity crisis within the movement, detailing how original members viewed Koresh’s group as identity thieves who hijacked their name, and look at the surviving factions that continue to exist today.

    35 min

  7. 1 HR AGO

    The Evolution and Subgenres of Reality Television

    In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the world of reality television, a genre that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations starring ordinary people rather than professional actors. We trace the surprising history of the format, looking back to 1948’s Candid Camera and the 1973 PBS series An American Family as precursors to the modern explosion of the genre. We explore how the 1990s hits The Real World and Survivor established the templates for special living environments and elimination-based competitions that dominate screens today. Join us as we break down the massive evolution of reality TV subgenres, from the "docusoaps" of Laguna Beach and The Real Housewives to the hidden camera pranks of Punk’d and the high-stakes competitions of Squid Game: The Challenge. We also discuss the shift toward streaming in the 2020s, where platforms like Netflix have found success with social experiments like Love Is Blind and The Circle. Finally, we tackle the controversies surrounding the genre. Is "reality" a misnomer for shows that often rely on premeditated storylines and misleading editing?. We examine the cultural impact of these programs, including their role in normalizing surveillance, creating "instant celebrities" like the Kardashians, and even serving as a springboard for political careers.

    35 min

  8. 1 HR AGO

    Deep Dive: The Empire of Keeping Up with the Kardashians

    On this episode of pplpod, we break down the history and cultural impact of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the reality juggernaut that aired on E! for 20 seasons between 2007 and 2021. Join us as we explore how executive producer Ryan Seacrest developed the concept after witnessing the success of The Osbournes, aiming to capture the dynamics of a chaotic but loving blended family,. We discuss the rise of the Kardashian–Jenner clan—including Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, Kris, Caitlyn, Kendall, and Kylie—and how the show utilized the release of Kim’s sex tape to launch a multimedia empire,. This episode covers the show’s polarizing reception, from critics panning it as a display of the "famous for being famous" concept to its status as a beloved "guilty pleasure" and ratings hit,. Tune in for details on: • Major Storylines: From the high-profile weddings (and divorces) of Kim and Khloé to the specials covering Caitlyn Jenner's transition,. • The Franchise: The massive list of spin-offs, including Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Khloé & Lamar, and Life of Kylie,. • The Legacy: How the series concluded in 2021 before the family transitioned to their new Hulu series, The Kardashians.

    27 min
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About

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends. Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

Information

  • Creator
    pplpod
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © pplpod
  • Show Website
    pplpod

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