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Very Special Episodes

Very Special Episodes

By: iHeartPodcasts
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Summary

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.

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Episodes
  • The Family Who Vanished Into Siberia for Over 40 Years

    The Family Who Vanished Into Siberia for Over 40 Years
    May 6 2026

    In 1978, Soviet geologists flying over Siberia spotted something impossible: a family living in total isolation, untouched for decades by the modern world. But when outsiders finally reached their remote cabin, the family’s hidden world began to change forever.

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    Special thanks to Rebecca E. Marshall for letting us share clips from her documentary, The Forest in Me. We also want to shout out the film's composer, Xylouris White. You can stream The Forest in Me right now on MUBI.

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    Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English
    Written by Dave Roos
    Senior Producer is Josh Fisher
    Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs
    Additional Editing by Mary Dooe
    Mixing and Mastering by Chris Childs
    Voice Actors are Katie Mattie and Chris Childs
    Original Music by Elise McCoy
    Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
    Executive Producer is Jason English

    Got a very special question? You can reach us at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    51 mins
  • A Very Special Mini-Mailbag

    A Very Special Mini-Mailbag
    Apr 29 2026

    Time for another mailbag episode! This week Dana, Zaron, and Jason answer pressing listener questions on yearbook quotes, hidden talents, and ads they'd read for free. Plus they plan a Very Special Festival (and/or Cruise).

    We'll be back with a new episode next Wednesday. Got a question for a future mailbag? Send it to veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    13 mins
  • Marilyn, Hamilton + John Wilkes Booth's Statue: NYC History Hiding in Plain Sight

    Marilyn, Hamilton + John Wilkes Booth's Statue: NYC History Hiding in Plain Sight
    Apr 22 2026

    Today's episode is a tour of New York’s secret history with a very special guest!

    Greg Young of the beloved Bowery Boys podcast joins us to prove the world is a very interesting place, if you just know where to look. There's hidden history in subway grates, SoHo stores, Central Park statues, and Hamilton lyrics.

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    Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English
    Written by Dana Schwartz
    Senior Producer is Josh Fisher
    Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Washington
    Additional Editing by Mary Dooe
    Mixing and Mastering by Josh Fisher
    Original Music by Elise McCoy
    Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
    Social Clips by Yarberry Media
    Executive Producer is Jason English

    In an upcoming episode, Zaron will be giving the Very Special Places treatment to San Francisco. If there's a city or town you'd like us to visit, email veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    49 mins
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