Very Special Episodes

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Very Special Episodes

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 Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.

  1. Live From New York, It's Your Grandmother

    FEB 14

    Live From New York, It's Your Grandmother

    During its first 50 seasons, Saturday Night Live has welcomed legendary actors, superstar athletes, and notable politicians. But for one memorable night in 1977, Lorne Michaels turned the show over to an 80-year-old amateur.  * Special thanks to Connie Crawford for sharing her story. And thanks to the great Bill Carter for stopping by! You can read more of his work at LateNighter, or check out his many classic books. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Chris ChildsOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening. We'll return to our weekly publishing cadence later next month. Exciting things in the works! Until then, you can always email the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com, or go check out the back catalog.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  2. Super Streaker

    FEB 5

    Super Streaker

    Mark Roberts is the world's most notorious streaker. He’s spent more time naked than most Greek statues. And in February 2004, he set his sights on the Super Bowl. To make streaking history, he just needs to dodge the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, SWAT teams, and 250-pound linebackers. * Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thank you for listening! We'll be back next week with another episode, and we'll return to our weekly publishing cadence later this spring. If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can email the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  3. Hot Wheels of Fortune

    12/30/2024

    Hot Wheels of Fortune

    Do you have a small fortune parked in your basement? Six decades ago, Hot Wheels were America’s hottest new toy. Now the children of the ‘60s are fueling a small but mighty collectors' market. Cars that originally sold for under a dollar now command five figures. Today we meet some of the hobby's most prolific figures and find out what cars they're still chasing.  VERY SPECIAL CREDITSToday's episode was produced in conjunction with Celia Aniskovich’s Dial Tone Films. Written by: Lucas ReillyHosts: Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishEditing and Sound Design: Josh Fisher  Producers: Karl Keadle and Josh FisherAdditional Production Support: Marisa Brown, Mary Dooe, and Ramsey YountMixing and Mastering: Baheed FrazierOriginal Music: Elise McCoyResearch and  Fact-Checking:  by Celia Aniskovich, Lucas Reilly, and Austin Thompson    Show Logo: Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer: Jason English See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
  4. Stealing Baby Jesus

    12/25/2024

    Stealing Baby Jesus

    While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it. Note: Please do not steal Baby Jesus. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Chris ChildsVoice Actors: Jonathan Washington, Chris Childs, Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, Josh Fisher, and Zaron BurnettOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! We'll have one more episode in 2024 next Monday. If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 min
  5. An Artificial Christmas

    12/20/2024

    An Artificial Christmas

    Who's the artificial Christmas tree king? Meet Si Spiegel, a Jewish kid from New York with a remarkable, improbable Christmas story. Si's story was first brought to light by Laurie Gwen Shapiro in her 2021 New York Times feature, "He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets, and Modernized Christmas." Laurie Gwen Shapiro kindly shared her extensive notes for this episode. Her next book, The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage That Made an American Icon, will be published by Viking in July 2025. Learn more at LaurieGwenShapiro.com.ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL THANKS Kevin C. Fitzpatrick is author of World War One New York and 7 other books tied to New York City history. Kevin's also a public historian and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Learn more at FitzpatrickAuthor.com. *  VERY SPECIAL CREDITS Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Dave RoosProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington and Josh FisherMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Dave Roos and Austin ThompsonShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Want to listen to other VSEs written by Dave Roos? Check out 'The Shot' (episode 16) and 'The Pledge' (episode 4). If you're enjoying the show and want to do something nice this holiday season, leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  6. Big Parma

    12/11/2024

    Big Parma

    Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy Industrial Complex — AKA Big Parma.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.  Today’s Episode Was Written and Hosted by Very Special Guest Stars Ben Bowlin and Alex French Producer is Josh Fisher Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs Additional Editing by Mary Dooe Mixing and Mastering by Baheed Frazier Original Music by Elise McCoy  Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla   Executive 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 the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min
  7. The Spider-Man Wedding

    12/04/2024

    The Spider-Man Wedding

    In 1987, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a glimmer in Stan Lee's eye, Marvel promised a different kind of blockbuster: Spider-Man and Mary Jane would get married. Not just in the comics — in front of 51,000 screaming fans at Shea Stadium. And those fans were not happy about it. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Jake RossenProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Baheed FrazierVoice Actors: Katie Mattie, Chris Childs, and Josh FisherOriginal Music by Elise McCoyResearch and Fact Checking by Jake Rossen 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 the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
  8. The Landfill

    11/27/2024

    The Landfill

    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.

    27 min
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About

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 Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English down a different rabbit hole every Wednesday.

Information

  • Channel
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Very Special Episodes
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

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