00:00:00 – Intro to the Poster War
00:01:08 – Synopsis
00:03:40 – Posters for the Forgotten Hostages
00:09:34 – The Inevitable Backlash
00:18:02 – Roots in Social Media and the Education System
00:29:58 – The BDS Movement
00:34:29 – Is Anger Rooted in Antisemitism
00:38:46 – America's Culture of Violence on the Rise
00:51:00 – The Line Between Anitsemitism and Fair Criticism
00:55:19 – Were the Posters Successful?
01:01:42 – Where to See the Film
**** FACTUAL AMERICA PODCAST ****
What happens when the Israel-Palestine conflict spills onto the streets of New York City? Posters, propaganda, and outrage turned the city into an unexpected battleground — and the story behind it will shock you.
We sit down with Nim Shapira, the director of TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War to uncover the hidden conflict tearing NYC apart. From torn posters and viral street battles to debates over antisemitism and free speech, this is a raw look at how global tensions can play out in everyday life on the streets of America.
In this episode, we dive into the making of Nightmares of Nature, the hit Netflix nature documentary that turns the lens toward the eerie, emotional, and often terrifying side of the natural world. We speak with Charlotte Lathane to explore how the filmmaking team blended horror aesthetics with real wildlife stories, creating a show that challenges how we see the planet.
Timecodes:
00:00 – Introduction to Nightmares of Nature
03:18 – Exploring the Concept of The Series
05:41 – The Art of Dramatised Nature Documentaries
09:08 – Behind the Scenes: Filming Challenges
14:06 – Creating a New Genre: Nature Meets Horror
20:36 – Audience Reception and Future Prospects
The Perfect Neighbor documentary tells the shocking true story of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Black mother of four who was fatally shot by her neighbour Susan Lorincz in Florida. In this exclusive interview, director Geeta Gandbhir and Pamela Dias, Ajike’s mother, discuss how the film reconstructs the tragedy through police body-cam footage, 911 calls, and interrogation tapes. They unpack how a neighbourhood dispute spiraled into violence, exposing the failings of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.
Director Geeta Gandbhir reveals why she took a “show-don’t-tell” approach, letting raw institutional footage speak for itself, while Pamela Dias shares her grief, courage, and fight for justice. Together they reflect on how The Perfect Neighbour turns personal loss into a broader story about gun violence, race, and accountability in America.
00:00 – Introduction to “The Perfect Neighbour”
05:22 – The Story Behind Adjika Owens
07:17 – Pamela's Reflection on Adjika
11:15 – The Incident: A Tragic Night
13:32 – Uncovering the History of Conflict
16:09 – The Role of Media and Community
17:35 – Motivations Behind the Tragedy
18:48 – Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws
26:43 – The Role of Police in Community Conflicts
30:34 – Impact on the Community After Tragedy
34:21 – Adjika's Legacy and Call to Action
This documentary with the Dalai Lama, Wisdom of Happiness, takes us inside His Holiness’s powerful message for a world in crisis. In this exclusive interview with director Barbara Miller, we explore how compassion, peace, and emotional resilience can guide us through climate change, conflict, and chaos — and why happiness might be humanity’s most radical act.
Explore the shocking truth behind the Afghanistan War in our deep dive into Bodyguard of Lies. We uncover decades of government deception and falsehoods, featuring never-before-seen insider testimonies that reveal how the public was misled. We speak with director Dan Krauss about making the documentary and exposing the cover-up behind one of the longest wars in U.S. history.
If you’re interested in uncovering hidden truths, understanding U.S. foreign policy failures, or learning what really happened in Afghanistan, this episode is for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
03:58 – The Story Behind the Documentary
06:39 – Misleading the Public
09:47 – Revealing Audio Tapes
11:28 – Early Doubts About the War
19:26 – Financial Stakes in the War
23:35 – Corruption and Cash Flow
29:25 – Missed Opportunities for Peace
32:21 – Voices of the Afghan People
36:16 – Remote Filming Challenges
40:08 –Final Lies of the War
45:18 –Hope for the Future
50:30 – What’s next and signing off
In this Letter From Britain episode of Factual America, our host Matthew reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for free speech, political extremism, and the state of democracy in America and beyond.
We examine the rise of political extremism, the media’s role in shaping the narrative, and how leaders from Bernie Sanders to Robert Redford have spoken out about the urgent need for civil discourse.
Timecodes:
00:00 – Intro
00:20 – The assassination of Charlie Kirk
01:30 – Political extremism & censorship
07:00 – Media narratives & public trust
14:00 – The passing of Robert Redford
16:00 – Reflections on hope & democracy
This interview was recorded before the news of Charlie Kirk’s murder, but its insights into political violence and radicalisation remain highly relevant.
Max Horder discusses the phenomenon of 'Luigi-ism', a term he coined to describe a troubling trend of left-wing violence and its cultural implications. He explains how Luigi Mangione became a cultural icon to the far left, reflecting a growing acceptance of violence in political discourse.
The discussion also contrasts left-wing and right-wing violence, exploring the psychological and sociological factors driving these behaviours. Horder emphasizes the role of social media in shaping perceptions and justifications for violence, and warns of increasing polarisation in American society, leading to greater conflict.
#PoliticalViolence
#RadicalActivism
#LuigiIsm
#VigilanteJustice
#PoliticalExtremism
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro and Setup
00:52 – The Rise of Luigi-ism
08:50 –Understanding the Phenomenon of Luigiism
15:09 – Comparing Left-Wing and Right-Wing Violence
19:26 – The Nature of Left-Wing Violence
23:20 – Analysing the Numbers of Max's Survey
33:00 – The Role of Social Media in Political Violence
39:05 – "CEO down", "Luigi'd" and Other Concerning Memes
46:24 – Future Implications of Political Polarization
52:06 – More About Max Horder and The NCRI
Political cartoons, satire, and US presidents collide in the new documentary A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant. We interview Bill Banowsky on how one of the world’s most fearless cartoonists shaped politics and public opinion across five decades and ten presidencies. In this episode of Factual America, we look at the power of satire in American democracy, Oliphant’s lasting influence, and why his art remains so relevant today.
If you’re interested in political art, journalism, or the role of satire in democracy, this conversation is not to be missed.
#PoliticalCartoons
#Satire
#ASavageArt
#PoliticalDocumentary
#FactualAmerica
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
04:33 – The Film: A Savage Art
12:32 – Pat Oliphant: The Influential Cartoonist
21:39 – The Evolution of Political Cartooning
34:20 – The Impact of Media Disruption
37:54 – The Journey of Documentary Filmmaking
44:19 – The Future of Theatres and Audience Experience
Netflix’s latest true crime documentary, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, dives into one of the most disturbing high school “catfish” scandals ever exposed. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with director Skye Borgman to uncover how a teenager was lured into a devastating web of lies and manipulation by an online predator.
If you’re obsessed with Netflix true crime, catfishing scandals, or the dark side of social media, this is an unmissable conversation.
#TrueCrime #NetflixTrueCrime #CatfishStory #HighSchoolCatfish #ShockingTruth
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:12 - Synopsis
03:40 - Much more than just teasing among friends
05:53 - A small-town-witch-trial evolves
08:58 - The directors thoughts while filming
14:33 - The police step in
17:00 - The unknown number is revealed
19:13 - Understanding the perpetrator's perspective
26:55 - The art of great storytelling
31:35 - The culture of socialising through devices
34:37 - Long-term effects of cyber-bullying
37:03 - The victims looking back
38:45 - Future plans for Skye
The Dallas Cowboys, Netflix, America’s Team, the NFL, Jerry Jones, and the (un)making of a modern football dynasty – we dive into all these topics in this episode featuring Chapman and Maclain Way, the Emmy-winning filmmakers behind Netflix’s new sports docuseries America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.
Known for Wild Wild Country, Kings of Tupelo and Untold, the Way brothers break down how the Cowboys became America’s most iconic, and controversial, team. From behind-the-scenes drama to media manipulation, this series isn’t just about football; it’s about power, ego, and the team that changed American pro sports and culture.
00:00 – Intro and Setup
01:16 – Documentary synopsis
03:53 – The new guy in town
10:09 – A new era for the NFL
16:33 – How the project came together
19:00 – Never-before-seen footage of the Cowboys
21:47 – Jerry Jones – narrator of his own story
26:15 – Maclain, Chapman and the cast of their dreams
31:45 – Challenges of making the documentary
33:45 – A Spaghetti Western sports doc
38:40 – Striving for the next Super Bowl
40:50 – Wrapping up
The Biggest Loser, Netflix, reality TV, weight loss, fitness culture, diet industry, TV scandal.
Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, a Netflix docuseries directed by Skye Borgman, exposes the dark side of one of television’s most controversial shows. We dive into the harsh truths behind the cameras, the toll on contestants’ lives, and how the series reshaped America’s ideas about weight and wellness.
If you want the real story behind the headlines, this episode is a must-watch. Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser recently premiered on Netflix. Subscribe for more deep dives into the stories behind your favourite shows.
Timecodes:
00:00 – Introduction and Setup
01:22 – Synopsis of "Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser"
05:47 – One of the most successful reality TV shows
06:57 – The controversy of massive weight loss
11:35 – Challenges and a fake reality
15:44 – What motivates the participants?
19:32 – The growth of the show
22:41 – Bizarre weight loss methods
26:37 – How healthily do Americans live today?
29:01 – Directing the documentary
35:06 – Future Projects
35:51 – Wrapping up
Storm Area 51 – viral meme, US military, internet conspiracy, aliens, UFOs, Nevada desert, Facebook event, true story. In 2019, a joke Facebook post about storming Area 51 went viral and triggered a full-scale media frenzy that put the US military on high alert. What started as an internet meme turned into a real-world phenomenon that captured the world’s attention.
In this episode, we speak with Jack MacInnes, director of the latest Trainwreck episode covering the Storm Area 51 event. He breaks down what really happened, how the story spiralled out of control, and why this strange moment in internet culture still matters. From alien hunters to military warnings, this is the bizarre true story behind one of the internet’s most unforgettable viral events.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
02:32 – Overview of Trainwreck: Storm Area 51
03:26 – The Origin of the Storm Area 51 Meme
08:10 – The Cultural Impact and Narrative of the Event
10:56 – The Role of Influencers and Media
14:19 – Understanding Memes and Their Evolution
16:11 – The Journey to Rural Nevada and Its Significance
18:27 – Exploring the Mystique of Area 51
20:16 – The Meme That Became a Movement
23:13 – The Seriousness of a Joke
25:50 – The Fallout of the Event
28:31 – The Reality of Attendance
29:44 – The Internet's Role in the Phenomenon
31:51 – The Aftermath and Reflections
34:41 – Future Endeavours and New Projects
This episode uncovers the explosive story behind P.I. Moms, an early 2000s reality TV show about everyday mothers working as private investigators. Through a tell-all documentary, we investigate the drug scandal that rocked the series and ultimately led to its downfall.
Join us as we reveal how the scandal sabotaged the show and impacted the lives and careers of its stars, including Carl Marino of Homicide Hunter fame. If you love true crime and reality TV exposés, this episode is a must-listen.
00:00 – Introduction and Setup
01:58 – Overview of P.I. Moms
06:23 – The Reality TV Landscape
09:23 – Unraveling of the Show
11:53 – Reality vs. Reality TV
13:18 – Reality TV: The Thin Line Between Truth and Fiction
14:35 – The Role of Key Players in the Story
16:38 – Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Reality Show
18:55 – The Complex Motivations Behind the Project
21:10 – The Unique Appeal of P.I. Moms
25:23 – The Impact on Participants and Filmmakers
29:00 – The Aftermath: Careers and Consequences
33:09 – Future Projects of Phil
As an American living in the UK, Matthew Sherwood unpacks what Independence Day really means from across the pond—and what it reveals about the growing divide between the US and UK. From political chaos to economic stagnation, he explores why the two nations feel increasingly out of sync.
The episode also dives into the rise of political disruptors like Nigel Farage and Elon Musk, before teasing what’s next for the podcast: bold new formats and fresh perspectives.
Timestamps
00:00 - Independence Day Reflections
03:37 - The Diverging Paths of the US and UK
07:49 - Political Landscape and Economic Realities
09:21 - New Formats and Future Directions
In 2009, the world stopped to watch a homemade UFO float across the Colorado skies – with a 6-year-old boy believed to be trapped inside. The “Balloon Boy” story gripped a nation…and then the shocking truth came out.In this episode, we speak with Gillian Pachter, director of the hit Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, to uncover what really happened behind the scenes of one of the most bizarre media frenzies in modern history.
Shark conservationist Ocean Ramsey is world-famous for swimming with sharks to challenge fear and promote marine conservation.
In this episode, we speak with JP Stiles and Harrison Macks, directors of the Netflix documentary Shark Whisperer, about Ramsey’s mission to protect sharks, the power of viral ocean activism, and why these apex predators are so misunderstood.
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:13 – Film synopsis
02:40 – Who is Ocean Ramsey
05:17 – Sharks are not monsters
09:38 – Why shark attacks happen
12:02 – Media frenzy
16:16 – Ocean Ramsey's motivation
22:23 – The controversy
24:56 – Is it research, conservation or just a show?
28:33 – Involvement of James Reed
35:34 – Future projects
Poop Cruise. Disaster. Documentary. In this unmissable episode, we sit down with the director, James Ross, behind the new Trainwreck episode diving into the infamous 2013 Carnival cruise from hell.
With raw insight and behind-the-scenes revelations, we explore how an engine fire left 4,000 passengers stranded at sea with no power, no plumbing, and nowhere to go – transforming a dream vacation into a floating nightmare. Tune in for the wild backstory, unseen footage, and what really went down during the disaster dubbed "The Poop Cruise”.
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Timestamps:
00:00 - Trainwerck - "The Poop Cruise"
02:34 - Introduction
05:56 - Overview of The Documentary
06:51 - The Cruise and Initial Incident
09:50 - Crisis Management
11:19 - Panic Hits the Crowds
14:41 - Communication Breakdown
16:50 - The Escalation of Chaos
19:10 - The Rescue Attempt and Final Chaos
22:19 - The Crew Amidst Chaos
24:27 - The Media Frenzy
28:37 - Documentary Filmmaking Challenges
32:58 - Finding the Right Stories and Characters
40:03 - Future Projects and the Evolution of Storytelling
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Like us on Facebook: @factualamerica
Follow us on Twitter: @Factual_America
Connect with Matthew Sherwood:
Twitter: @sherwood1967
Facebook: @matthew.sherwood.14
LinkedIn: @matthewsherwood
Rob Ford, Toronto mayor, and scandal – we dive deep into the chaos of the new Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem, with director Shianne Brown.
From political rise to crack-smoking infamy, this episode unpacks how a beloved yet controversial figure shook Canadian politics – and why his story still matters today.
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
03:55 – Who Was Rob Ford?
09:55 – Scandals & Controversies
12:26 – The Downfall Begins
15:35 – The Power of Populism
19:32 – Media’s Role in the Ford Saga
22:30 – Rob Ford: The Man Behind the Headlines
26:12 – Rob Ford’s Divisive Legacy
29:16 – Telling Ford’s Story
32:40 – Reflections & What’s Next
Visit our Website: https://www.alamopictures.co.uk/
One of the deadliest music festivals in recent history, the 2021 Astroworld tragedy left 10 dead and thousands traumatised. Now, a powerful new documentary uncovers what really happened – with first-hand accounts from survivors, paramedics, and festival staff.
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the film with director Yemi Bamiro and executive producer Kari Lia, as they reveal how they navigated trauma, and uncovered systemic failures behind the disaster.
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Timestamps:
00:00 - Trailer "Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy"
01:12 - Introduction and synopsis
02:08 - A tragedy rooted in Houston
04:45 - Day of excitement ends in a disaster
11:53 - Most spectators didn't even realise it was happening
17:13 - Similarities and differences with other crowd crushes
19:12 - Misinformation leads to victim blaming
21:22 - The stories within the story
25:46 - Challenges during the production
36:40 - Future plans
**** FACTUAL AMERICA PODCAST ****
Factual America uses documentary filmmaking to examine the American experience as well as universal topics that affect all Americans. Guests include leading documentary filmmakers, their subjects, as well as experts on the American experience. Our host Matthew Sherwood, was born and raised in Texas but has lived in the UK since 2001. He draws on decades of journalism experience, interviewing world leaders and helping audiences understand the key global trends shaping our lives.
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Like us on Facebook: @factualamerica
Follow us on Twitter: @Factual_America
Connect with Matthew Sherwood:
Twitter: @sherwood1967
Facebook: @matthew.sherwood.14
LinkedIn: @matthewsherwood
**** ABOUT ALAMO PICTURES ****
Alamo Pictures is a London-based production company specialising in feature-documentaries, factual television and shorts about the US. Benefitting from an outsider’s keen eye and years of stateside experience, Alamo’s filmmakers explore topical, uniquely American stories from a sympathetic, European perspective.
The result is engaging cinema and television that defies stereotypes and helps audiences truly understand what makes America tick.
Visit our Website: https://www.alamopictures.co.uk/
#Astroworld
#TravisScott
#DocumentaryFilm#TrueStory
#SurvivorStories
In this exclusive interview, we speak to Yotam Guendelman and Ari Pines, the directors of the latest Netflix true crime documentary, which uncovers the chilling details behind the 1982 Tylenol poisonings – a case that shook America. With cyanide-laced pills, and a suspect who was never charged, the Chicago Tylenol murders remain one of the most disturbing unsolved crimes in US history.
We explore the evidence, media panic and legacy of this case that undermined Americans’ trust in pharmaceutical companies and forever changed how we interact with over-the-counter drugs.If you're into true crime podcasts, unsolved mysteries, and deep dives with the filmmakers behind the headlines – this one's for you.
Timestamps:00:00 – Trailer "Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders"
03:04 – Introduction and synopsis
06:53 – Mass hysteria in the USA
09:24 – The prime suspect – James Lewis
13:32 – One-sided investigation
18:34 – The involvement of Johnson & Johnson
25:30 – Alternative theories
29:18 – How the project started
31:10 – The first (and last) Interview with James Lewis
38:33 – Future plans and outro
Subscribe to Factual America: https://linktr.ee/FactualAmerica
Like us on Facebook: @factualamerica
Follow us on Twitter: @Factual_America
Connect with Matthew Sherwood:
Twitter: @sherwood1967
Facebook: @matthew.sherwood.14
LinkedIn: @matthewsherwood
Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VeeqNzI25zM