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Host Adam Conover employs a combination of comedy, history and science to dispel widespread misconceptions about everything we take for granted.
2017
Adam dispels the myth about getting pregnant after 35, delves into breastfeeding vs formula, and explores postpartum depression for women - and men.
Host Adam Conover illustrates all the reasons low-fat diets can actually make you fatter, and why counting calories is a waste of time.
Adam Conover explains that inflated hospital costs have created a system that's unaffordable and unfair. Plus, the reckless prescription of antibiotics is making them worthless, and you might not need a mammogram.
Adam swipes right on knowledge by exposing the flaws in dating sites; the existence of alpha males (and wolves); personality tests.
Adam poses the question of what makes great art and shows why pieces visible to the masses are revered, regardless of artistic merit. He then exposes the masters as copycats and reveals that today's art market is a moneymaking scheme.
Adam shows that Columbus didn't discover America, King Tut was a dud and the rules of grammar are not as ironclad as people think.
Adam explains why the odds of becoming a dropout billionaire are not in your favor, how manipulated school rankings have little to do with education quality and why the privatization of student loans created a massive debt crisis.
Emily takes over to “ruin” Adam, pointing out where his facts fall short. She debunks the idea that IQ tests measure intelligence and points to information Adam has gotten wrong in the past. Plus, she explains the “backfire effect.”
Adam Conover and his girlfriend take a journey across America, where he reveals that Mount Rushmore was built on stolen Native American land, Vegas slot machines are purposely designed to be addicting, and a whole lot more!
Adam explains how the idealized lawn is an unnatural monstrosity, and that the design of the suburbs is slowly killing you. Plus, the racist history of suburban planning led to today's institutionalized segregation in schools.
Adam explains why lobbying makes filing your taxes so complicated, and why the economic numbers we focus on don't provide the whole story. Plus, American manufacturing can't come back because it was a fluke to begin with.
Adam Conover debunks the fake moon landing theory, discusses the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and reveals how to spot a false theory.
Pricey “detoxifying” treatments cleanse you of cash (and may do more harm than good), while MSG's scary reputation is undeserved. Plus, the placebo effect is way more powerful than you think!
Adam reveals why you have nothing to fear from strangers with candy and how the “panic” over Orson Welles' War of the Worlds broadcast was the clickbait of the 1930s. And, mediums and séances have a long history - of being fake.
Testing mice means wasted resources because what works on them often fails on humans. Scarce funding stops scientists from seeking cures, and there's no money in reproducing results, even though it's essential in proving findings.
Adam explains that unregulated food expiration dates lead to waste and that your 401(k) won't be enough to support your retirement. Plus, Adam's girlfriend Melinda proves that even with research, the future is unpredictable.
Adam Conover undermines everything you thought you knew about the American Revolution with startling facts about George Washington, Paul Revere's overrated ride, and the tale of a slave who helped America win.
The Pilgrims didn't break bread with Native Americans, but did dig up their graves! There was no romance between Pocahontas and John Smith, and cities in the New World rivaled London in scale before their “discovery.”
Adam reveals that the United States kicked off the Cuban Missile Crisis; a lone female politician stands up to Joseph McCarthy; a bureaucratic mistake brings down the Berlin Wall.
Adam shares that it was against the rules for gladiators to kill opponents, and tells the story of a Celtic woman who brought the Roman Empire to its knees. Plus, the brave “300” Spartans numbered closer to 7000.
Adam sheds some light on Copernicus, who was actually supported (NOT persecuted) by the Catholic Church. Plus, a rogue dwarf revolutionized what we know about anatomy, and just wait until you hear about Tulip Mania!
Adam digs into the Panama Canal, where Teddy Roosevelt formed a new country to snag free land. Plus, one man fought to keep food from killing us, while the Spanish Flu killed more Americans than all 20th century wars combined!
Adam gets a shot at both sides of the gun debate by reviewing the science evidence of the effectiveness of gun regulation including stating that a ban on assault weapons would be ineffective, showing how the NRA has evolved over the years and influenced how the country interprets the meaning of the Second Amendment, and that both sides of the gun debate ignore how guns and gun regulation affect minorities.
Adam states that the mattress industry was always a huge scam, that cheap school systems created sleep-deprived teenagers, and how "safe" sleep medications may actually be harmful.
Adam logs in to dulge into monopolistic tech companies by stating how Amazon's monopoly over online shopping harms consumers; how consumers do not fully own their technology devices because of corporate abuse of copyright law; and that tech companies not only routinely evade taxes, but also downright eradicate competition and harm society by abusing their monopoly power.
Adam takes to the skies to elucidate how airline miles and other credit card rewards are huge ripoffs, the extremely sexist "golden age of flying," and how lack of government regulation allowed the skies to be ruled with an iron fist.
Adam Conover
Self
Emily Axford
Self
River Butcher
Self
2015
Adam exposes why shoe companies that give away free footwear do more harm than good, and explains why you should stop giving food pantries your leftover canned goods.
Adam sets his sights on security, explaining that airport security wastes too much of our time and money, medicine safety seals do nothing to protect us, and your credit card number isn't remotely secure.
Adam exposes the surprising truths behind car dealerships, and the fact that the concept of "jaywalking" was created by auto manufacturers to blame pedestrians for car crashes.
Adam uncovers the scary truth behind unreliable methods used as evidence in criminal cases. He exposes the flaws of fingerprinting, hair strand matches and bite mark analysis - which often send innocent people to jail.
Adam explains why tipping is a custom worth ditching, shows that experts can't tell the difference between wines, and reveals that mislabeled seafood is rampant in the industry.
Adam reveals that the term "halitosis" was popularized in a 1920's ad campaign that used cruel ads to make people insecure about their breath, and explains why running water is one of the greatest miracles of modern times.
The twisted history of the Electoral College, explaining that the Founding Fathers did not want most Americans to vote.
Adam shows how the 40-hour work week not only exhausts employees but also harms businesses, reveals the legal mess of hiring interns and freelancers, and explores how discussing your salary with co-workers is actually a good thing.
Adam reveals that extended vacation makes you dumber, and that iconic rodent Mickey Mouse has made a mess of our copyright laws.
This episode explains why circumcision is common in the United States, how Herpes isn't as scary as the media makes it seem, how most people do not truly understand the hymen, and explains the worst sexual problem of all.
Adam shows why vitamin supplements don't make us any healthier, that the "balanced breakfast" we've been sold is anything but, and reveals how most of the nutritional science the media reports on isn't science at all.
In a limbo setting, Adam exhibits several failed attempts at terrestrial immortality, and reveals the American funeral industry's more exploitive tactics of mourners. After his date dies in a freak accident, however, he concedes that grappling with uncertainty with death can be just as healthy as clear-cut answers.
Straight from the red carpet (and with the help of celebrity guests Rachel Bloom and Ariana Madix), Adam exposes the hidden truths behind Hollywood's glitz and glamour, from the clothes stars wear to the process behind movie ratings.
Adam hits the gridiron to illustrate why the playoffs rarely determine which team is best, then he explores how hydration myths spread by sports drink companies are putting kids at risk. Adam also tackles football-caused brain injuries.
Emily and Murph's wedding day is finally here - but Adam's gift of information may rain on their parade. Adam reveals how most wedding "traditions" were recently created by consumerism, and that divorce is actually a wonderful thing.
Adam illustrates that shopping centres were created as tax loopholes for greedy developers, outlet stores are a scam selling low quality merchandise, and nutrient supplements are often dangerously unregulated.
Adam explores how purebred dogs are genetic monsters created by bored Victorians and reveals how domestic cats are overpopulated, lethal killing machines.
Adam gets evicted from his home, and while searching for a new place, he exposes the harsh realities of real estate. Plus, Adam explains why helping the homeless is a lot simpler and more straightforward than you might think.
Adam weeds through the misconceptions of marijuana and exposes the blunt truth about the War on Drugs - that it stemmed from a racist and political agenda. Plus, Adam illustrates why prescription pills are the true gateway drug.
When Emily gets tossed in the slammer, her cellmate reveals that corporations make money off prison inmates while the system does nothing to reduce crime. Adam then sheds light on jail rehabilitation and solitary confinement.
Adam reveals how prostitution - despite its reputation - actually helped settle the West. He then explains why the "All-American Cowboy" is a myth and that the real western hero wasn't a person; it was air conditioning.
While on a magical technological journey, Adam shows that smartphones are not the society-killers you'd think they are, American cable service providers are basically cartels, and most "free" sites are actually very costly.
After getting Emily out of prison, Adam and his sister Rhea take on the justice system; shining a spotlight on the infamous McDonalds hot coffee lawsuit and the substantial problems with the jury duty system.
Ho ho...huh?! Adam teaches his sister that the real St. Nick story is a lot creepier than she thought, and modern Santa was created by commercialism only a century ago. Adam also reveals how gift-giving actually hurts the economy.
Adam meets a young dad on a personal mission to save the world and end climate change...until Adam turns his world upside down. Find out why electric cars and green products don't make the impact you've been promised.
2019
Adam takes a bite at foods with the worst truths by stating that Mexican drug cartels import most avacados, that the meat industry lies about health risks and manipulates opposers to side with them, and how corn subsidies changed the crop into the most overused and unhealthy food in American history.
Adam tackles classic television stereotypes, from the racism behind public pools, to the "model minority" myth of Asian Americans, to the on-screen toxic masculinity that's masking the problems young men face today.
Adam hits pause on the myth that connects video games to real-life violence, and reveals that Monopoly was a rip-off of an anti-capitalist teaching game. Plus, Olympic organizers get rich while athletes struggle to get by.
Adam digs up the dirt on nature, revealing that Mount Everest is a frozen pile of poop, natural disasters are actually man-made, and there is no such thing as untouched wilderness.
Adam lets his freedom flag fly by examining why America doesn't have higher rates of social mobility. He then uncovers the flaws within our constitution and examines our country's progression and regression.
Adam and Emily prepare for a big night out by revealing the marketing ploy that convinced women to shave and the fashion agendas that created pockets. They then probe the truth about alcohol consumption.
Adam takes down the do-gooders and reveals how Teach For America is harmful to both students and teachers. He then uncovers the ineffectiveness of recycling and calls out the billionaires who create charities for tax breaks.
Adam shines a light on why drivers are rarely prosecuted for car accidents that result in death, he breaks down border patrol's search policies, and Adam examines the messed-up history of corpses and medical studies.
Adam reveals to a music-lover that white artists in the early days of rock-and-roll profited off of plagiarism, that Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment have an unstoppable monopoly over concerts, why many of today's musicians are forced to sell out, and how record labels extort their artists due to the advent of streaming services.
Adam reveals to a woman getting ready for a party how spiders actually benefit humanity, how bug parts are hidden inside everyday foods and a whole insect can be more nutritious than part of conventional livestock, and some bugs actually help the human body function properly. Between the segments about food and the human body, Emily discusses what actually happens when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly; and, at the end of the episode, she discusses the eradication of mosquitoes.
Adam reveals the serious issues behind SWAT teams, how school police officers send children into a life of crime, and that the issue of mass-incarceration was due to cops cherry-picking whom they arrest.
As Adam wraps up the show's third season, his self-doubt gets the best of him to reveal the show's biases, the inconsistencies and mistakes in previous episodes, the sinister agenda of advertising, and how advertisers shift the focus of the show. Between the correction and advertising segments, Adam discusses the truth about dopamine.
