The World Beneath

3.9 (1.1K)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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The first-ever series that defines and exposes the true nature of the underworld: a second economy of dirty money, born from the intersection of organized crime and intelligence operations. They are twin heads of this realm, and they have never been separated. This is the world of MOBSTERS & SPIES.

09/02/2021

Invaded from the Underworld Up with Andrew McCabe | Sitdown 10

In the summer of 2017, the FBI's Deputy Director stood firm at the helm of that agency, guiding it through an all-out assault from the realm of mobsters and spies - foreign and domestic… and paid the price. LB sits down with Andrew McCabe to learn about how his early experience at the Bureau - as a street agent investigating Russian Organized Crime in Lucky Luciano's old territory, prepared him for an investigation into a Presidential candidate - who once housed those Kremlin-connected gangsters in his concrete cartel tower. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 6m
07/01/2021

Buried Alive | Chapter 10

Now having walked through the origin and partial evolution of the Second Economy - built from a smuggling empire, we return to the two assassinations that launched the series. And find our way into the space between them - where a wave of Russian mobsters and spies landed, conquered, and left us buried alive in their avalanche of crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 6m
06/30/2021

Smashing Codes with Jason Fagone | Sitdown 9

LB sits down with author Jason Fagone to discuss his extraordinary book "The Woman Who Smashed Codes", and what we all can learn from the life and work ethic of our heroine, Elizebeth Friedman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

53 min
06/29/2021

X Marks the Spot | Chapter 9

The underworld re-organizes after the departure of Lucky Luciano. Elizebeth and William set down their swords and go gently into the good night. And Meyer Lansky's old business fronts lead us right to a modern President's old fixer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 2m
06/28/2021

The Enemy Inside with Craig Unger and Yuri Shvets | Sitdown 8

LB sits down with author and investigative journalist, Craig Unger, and former KGB agent Yuri Shvets - Unger's source for his deep dives on Donald Trump's Kremlin history before the Presidency, and career money-laundering for Putin's mobligarchs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 15m
06/27/2021

A Woman's Touch | Chapter 8

Elizebeth breaks the German enigma machine - twice, and defends the Western Hemisphere from an Axis invasion. The extensive clandestine intelligence operation she ran during World War 2 has finally rightfully been attributed to her, despite the machinations and thievery of the man who hijacked her legacy as his own - J Edgar Hoover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

54 min
06/26/2021

Hunting at the FBI with Frank Figliuzzi | Sitdown 7

LB does the important work of asking dumb questions about spies, so that we can all learn the meaning and value of counter-intelligence from the former assistant director of that division at the FBI, Frank Figliuzzi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 20m
06/25/2021

That Is One F*cked Up Rooster | Chapter 7

The President that Lucky Luciano put into office transforms into the leader a world at war needs. Meyer protects the homefront by taking on Hitler's American Bund and living rent-free in that monster's head. And Lucky finds his way into the sacred hen house - US intelligence, walking away with all of the eggs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 11m

See All (22)

Buried deep in the past of a quiet southern town lies the legend of Billy Sunday Birt, the most dangerous man in Georgia history. A chance meeting one spring day unravels the truth behind the notorious figure and uncovers new secrets along the way. "A wild tale of moonshine, murder, and mayhem" - Vulture 2021 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Limited Series

4.8 (7242)

TRUE CRIME
In a rugged corner of West Texas, billionaire wildcatters and roughnecks are fueling an oil boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics. This modern-day gold rush has sent both big oil companies and scrappy start-ups scrambling to secure a piece of the action. Texas Monthly’s Christian Wallace follows characters along every rung of the oil field ladder, from the executive cutting billion-dollar deals to the itinerant pipeline worker risking life and limb, and from the traveling exotic dancer following the trail of money to those who worry that our planet is on a path to destruction. Meet the people cashing in and those just trying to get by as the world around them is turned upside down. "A beautiful ride filled with levity, even as it delivers troubling forecasts for the future" - The Atlantic 2021 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Documentary

4.7 (3418)

DOCUMENTARY
Sean Kipe tells the story of former Georgia police officer Michael Chapel, convicted of the 1993 robbery and brutal murder of Emogene Thompson and sentenced to life in prison. However, with the recent surfacing of new information, Chapel’s story may have taken a dramatic turn – one that could potentially prove his innocence. Kipe takes a deep dive into Chapel’s past to find the unbelievable truth behind a story that involves corrupt police officers, crime rings, drug trafficking, steroids, and murder. In the Land of Lies is written, created and hosted by Sean Kipe. Original music from Sean Kipe. Executive Producers are Jason Hoch and Gino Falsetto. Story Editing by Jason Hoch. Audio Engineering by Shaine Freeman. Cover Art and Design by Jeana Sullivan. Consulting Producer is Henry Ball.

4.8 (1360)

TRUE CRIME
2022 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Documentary Limited Series and Specials. The Agent is the remarkable true story of Jack Barsky, the longest-surviving known member of the KGB illegals program operated during the height of the Cold War. Barsky hid in plain sight in America for 10 years, all the while leading dual lives on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. On one fateful day, he was confronted with an impossible choice. The Agent is a production of Imperative Entertainment in association with Windjoy and is created, written, produced and edited by Jason Hoch. Narration by Alden Ehrenreich. Executive Producers are Jason Hoch, Jack Barsky and Alden Ehrenreich. Original score by Jasha Klebe. Sound engineering and additional editing by Shaine Freeman.

4.7 (1131)

DOCUMENTARY
The murder of 18-year-old Rhonda Sue Coleman in 1990 has been a thorn in the side of the small community of Hazlehurst, GA for over 30 years. No arrests, no answers, and no justice. The family, friends and townspeople have never let go of the hope of finally getting the answers they so desperately seek. Fox Hunter is a 10-episode series with new episodes publishing Tuesday mornings.

4.8 (2605)

TRUE CRIME
Billionaire Zappos founder and tech CEO Tony Hsieh was obsessed with happiness and helping people achieve it. After running “the world’s happiest company” for two decades, Hsieh created his experimental community — The Downtown Project — dedicated to pursuing happiness. But what do Tony's life and death reveal about Silicon Valley’s obsession with re-imagining how society functions? "A gripping tale" - The Guardian The Cost Of Happiness is reported and hosted by Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. It is produced by Charlie Towler. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. The story editor is Meara Sharma, and Thomas Curry is the managing producer. Scoring and sound-design by Charlie Brandon-King. For Imperative Entertainment, the executive producer is Jason Hoch, and for Vespucci, the executive producers are Daniel Turcan, Johnny Galvin, and Matt Willis.

3.9 (115)

DOCUMENTARY

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3.9

out of 5

1,115 Ratings

Incredible work!!!

01/12/2024

Dark_knight_06071980

Probably the best podcast I’ve ever listened to. I learned so much listening to this. Very eye opening. I can’t wait for season two.
Wow!

10/27/2023

Spiked jones

Nothing I have heard, quite ties things together like LB does in this (his)story telling masterpiece. The origin stories of the NSA and FBI and the underworld are so full of detail and connection that when the Russian mob arrives and the current players stories are told one cannot see things at all differently. Why are we not seeing the subsequent seasons? I am worried she has been told to stop. By whom?
Amazing

06/19/2023

Space Pilot

We all knew Chetolini had mob connections, but Oh My God! LB really ties it together in a deeply interwoven connecting of the dots. You have to pay attention while listening, every little detail is important and comes back around full circle later in the story. Still waiting anxiously for season 2.
Hit Job

10/25/2023

22243456

I wish I had read that this was a one sided, left wing hit piece before I started it.

The first-ever series that defines and exposes the true nature of the underworld: a second economy of dirty money, born from the intersection of organized crime and intelligence operations. They are twin heads of this realm, and they have never been separated. This is the world of MOBSTERS & SPIES.