Eighteen Americans were secretly injected with plutonium without their knowledge or consent. The first was Ebb Cade, a healthy 55-year-old African American man in Tennessee. After a car accident in March 1945, he expected to have his broken bones set. Instead, he became a test subject. Scientists injected plutonium into his veins, then pulled his teeth and cut pieces of bone from his body to track how the radioactive element spread. Cade eventually escaped the hospital, leaving before he was discharged — and abruptly moved to another state, dying just eight years later. He was only the beginning. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Eileen Welsome, author of "The Plutonium Files," joins Natasha Zouves, host of "The Truth of the Matter," to uncover the story of Cade and the 17 others used in secret government experiments. Why were these patients chosen? What role did Oppenheimer’s Los Alamos play? And how close did America come to burying this history forever? This is the hidden story of the plutonium files — and the Americans turned into test subjects in the name of national security and scientific advancement. The Truth of the Matter with Natasha Zouves isn’t just another podcast — it’s a fight to uncover what powerful institutions want hidden. From secret human experiments the government carried out on unsuspecting citizens to toxic cover-ups poisoning communities, Emmy and Murrow Award-winning journalist Natasha Zouves brings you the stories people in power don’t want told. Each week, we expose evidence buried in archives, amplify the voices of those who’ve been silenced, and hold the powerful accountable. From radioactive “oatmeal experiments” on children, to cancer causing chemicals destroying farms, to veterans erased from history — these are the stories that matter. This is journalism that refuses to look away. The Truth of the Matter is about transparency, and justice for the people left behind.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves   WATCH the St. Louis investigation part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7_-G_q3wEc&t=1s   WATCH the St. Louis investigation part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upYvUe6hWEk&t=817s   READ the full St. Louis investigation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/did-government-poison-st-louis/   You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-of-the-matter-with-natasha-zouves/id1804707066 https://open.spotify.com/show/2iQ85VHlMmBfLBaTtSp8tF   This podcast is put together by: Ryan Kerr Mia Balbin-Cuesta Allie Purser Natasha Zouves         Connect with host Natasha Zouves

In the 1950s and 60s, the U.S. Army sprayed a mystery fog over thousands of Americans who lived in a neighborhood in St. Louis. Mothers shut their windows against it, children ran through it.   The Army later admitted the fog contained zinc cadmium sulfide, a chemical that contains cadmium — now a known human carcinogen. But to this day, the Army does not admit harm.   This is part two of our conversation with Dr. Lisa Martino-Taylor, sociologist and author of Behind the Fog. She tells host of “The Truth of the Matter,” Natasha Zouves, why she believes the experiments in St. Louis were part of a larger program spun out of the Manhattan Project — marked by secrecy, deception, and the use of unwitting Americans as test subjects.   Why was St. Louis chosen? What else might have been in that spray? And why does this researcher believe the truth remains buried in classified government documents?   This is one of the darkest, least-known chapters in American history. And the fight for answers is still unfolding.   The Truth of the Matter with Natasha Zouves isn’t just another podcast — it’s a fight to uncover what powerful institutions want hidden. From secret human experiments the government carried out on unsuspecting citizens to toxic cover-ups poisoning communities, Emmy and Murrow Award-winning journalist Natasha Zouves brings you the stories people in power don’t want told.   Each week, we expose evidence buried in archives, amplify the voices of those who’ve been silenced, and hold the powerful accountable. From radioactive “oatmeal experiments” on children, to cancer causing chemicals destroying farms, to veterans erased from history — these are the stories that matter.   This is journalism that refuses to look away. The Truth of the Matter is about transparency, and justice for the people left behind.     Connect with host Natasha Zouves   WATCH the St. Louis investigation part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7_-G_q3wEc&t=1s   WATCH the St. Louis investigation part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upYvUe6hWEk&t=817s   READ the full St. Louis investigation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/did-government-poison-st-louis/   You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-of-the-matter-with-natasha-zouves/id1804707066 https://open.spotify.com/show/2iQ85VHlMmBfLBaTtSp8tF   This podcast is put together by: Ryan Kerr Mia Balbin-Cuesta Allie Purser Natasha Zouves         Connect with host Natasha Zouves

From radioactive oatmeal fed to children, to pregnant women given a radioactive cocktail, to chemical spraying over St. Louis, Dr. Martino-Taylor connects the dots and reveals how she believes these were not isolated incidents, but part of a program spun out of the Manhattan Project — marked by secrecy, deception, and the targeting of the most vulnerable.   Dr. Lisa Martino-Taylor, sociologist, researcher and author of Behind the Fog, joins Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” for a groundbreaking conversation about one of the darkest, least-known chapters in American history: secret human experiments carried out by the U.S. government.   Why St. Louis? What did researchers hope to achieve? And what does this history tell us about government transparency, ethics, and the human cost of secrecy?   The Truth of the Matter with Natasha Zouves isn’t just another podcast — it’s a fight to uncover what powerful institutions want hidden. From secret human experiments the government carried out on unsuspecting citizens to toxic cover-ups poisoning communities, Emmy and Murrow Award-winning journalist Natasha Zouves brings you the stories people in power don’t want told.   Each week, we expose evidence buried in archives, amplify the voices of those who’ve been silenced, and hold the powerful accountable. From radioactive “oatmeal experiments” on children, to cancer causing chemicals destroying farms, to veterans erased from history — these are the stories that matter.   This is journalism that refuses to look away. The Truth of the Matter is about transparency, and justice for the people left behind.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves   WATCH the St. Louis investigation part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7_-G_q3wEc&t=1s   WATCH the St. Louis investigation part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upYvUe6hWEk&t=817s   READ the full St. Louis investigation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/did-government-poison-st-louis/   You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-of-the-matter-with-natasha-zouves/id1804707066 https://open.spotify.com/show/2iQ85VHlMmBfLBaTtSp8tF   This podcast is put together by: Ryan Kerr Mia Balbin-Cuesta Allie Purser Natasha Zouves

He served on the razor’s edge of danger, flying combat rescue missions to extract downed pilots and special forces deep behind enemy lines. But it was one failed mission that left a mark no medal could erase. In this episode of The Truth of the Matter, host Natasha Zouves sits down with Major Glenn Ignazio for a gripping, unflinching conversation. Maj. Ignazio opens up about the moment he couldn’t save a life, the high-altitude accident that ended his flying career, and the silent battles he fought long after the missions were over — PTSD, addiction to prescription opioids, and the collapse of everything he once knew. From the cockpit to the edge of despair and back again, Ignazio shares how he rebuilt his life from rock bottom, and how he's now leading a different kind of rescue mission: helping fellow veterans find purpose and healing. This is a raw, powerful story about failure, redemption, and the unseen toll of service. “The Truth of the Matter" goes beyond the headlines to uncover the hidden stories shaping our world.   These stories are more than just hidden truths—they’re blueprints for navigating our own lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons learned. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-of-the-matter-with-natasha-zouves/id1804707066 https://open.spotify.com/show/2iQ85VHlMmBfLBaTtSp8tF   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

Jennifer Coffindaffer shares the brutal, life-altering attack she survived as a college freshman — and how that trauma ignited a fire to protect others and seek justice, setting her on a path towards decades in the FBI and law enforcement. This episode deals with sexual assault, listener discretion advised. In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves sits down with Coffindaffer for a searingly personal conversation — former FBI agent, counterintelligence and counterterrorism expert. From excelling in the grueling training grounds of Quantico, to going head-to-head with violent gang members and apprehending dangerous criminals, she pulls back the curtain on the physical and mental toll of the job. She speaks candidly about suffering a concussion during combat training and the reality of sexual harassment in law enforcement. As one of the few women in her position, she reveals what it took to not just survive in that environment, but to carve out a place of her own.  This is a raw, riveting conversation about resilience, justice and the human cost of service. “The Truth of the Matter" podcast goes beyond the headlines to uncover the hidden stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths—they’re blueprints for navigating our own lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons learned. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

He's one of the most thoughtful voices in the world of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves sits down with the pioneering technologist and co-creator of Django, Simon Willison. As AI accelerates at breakneck speed, Willison helps us cut through the hype to confront the real stakes: Which jobs are most at risk in this new era, and which might actually thrive? How do we “AI-proof” our own lives and careers when the ground is shifting under our feet? In this wide-ranging conversation, Willison pulls back the curtain on the future we’re building, often faster than we can fully understand it. From disinformation campaigns to automations’ quiet creep into white-collar work, he explains what keeps him up at night — and why the U.S. may be flying blind if global competitors like China reject regulatory guardrails. This is a frank, fascinating conversation about power, risk and the responsibility we all carry as we shape the future of intelligence itself. “The Truth of the Matter" podcast goes beyond the headlines to uncover the hidden stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths—they’re blueprints for navigating our own lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons learned. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves sits down with outspoken advocate Erin Brockovich — environmental crusader, best selling author, and the woman whose fight for justice inspired an Oscar-winning film. In a deeply personal conversation, Brockovich opens up about the values her father instilled in her — the roots of her resilience and sense of justice. She shares what it’s like to carry the weight of so many environmental battles, candidly admitting to moments of depression and moral fatigue, and what keeps her going despite it all. She also reflects on Julia Roberts’ iconic portrayal of her — what the film got right and how it shaped the public’s understanding of who she really is beyond the high heels and bold talk. From poisoned water supplies to corporate accountability, Brockovich lays out the biggest environmental and human rights challenges facing Americans today — and why you don’t need a law degree to make a difference. WATCH Erin Brockovich in Natasha's Emmy Nominated Special, “Growing Broke: Forever Chemicals in America’s Heartland" “The Truth of the Matter" podcast goes beyond the headlines to uncover the hidden stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths—they’re blueprints for navigating our own lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons learned. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts. Connect with host Natasha Zouves  

In this episode, “Truth of the Matter” host Natasha Zouves is joined by one of the most brilliant scientific minds of our time: Dr. Michio Kaku — renowned astrophysicist, futurist, and co-founder of string theory.   He explores Elon Musk’s bold timeline to settle Mars — and the extraordinary technologies that could make it possible, including satellites designed to melt the planet’s polar ice caps and create life-sustaining water, literally terraforming the red planet.   Professor Kaku also weighs in on the future of artificial intelligence — what excites him, and what he believes could become one of the greatest threats we face. He shares powerful insights into the rise of UAPs and what action he believes humanity must take in response.   And finally, we dive into one of the most provocative ideas in modern physics: the multiverse. Could there be countless versions of you, of all of us, running in parallel universes we may never touch? Dr. Kaku breaks down the science.   This is a conversation about the future — of space, technology, and the very nature of reality.   WATCH Harvard Professor Avi Loeb discuss crypto-terrestrials and the possibility that aliens might already be present on Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAk4bLlYYmM   “The Truth of the Matter goes beyond the headlines to uncover the hidden stories shaping our world.   These stories are more than just hidden truths—they’re blueprints for navigating our own lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons learned. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny joins Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” for an electrifying deep dive into the future of the world’s first flying car. From concept to takeoff, Dukhovny breaks down how his team is rewriting the rules of transportation — and what it really takes to bring science fiction to life. Will we be commuting through the skies in the next few years? How will flying cars reshape cities, commutes, and our every day realities? This episode is essential listening for anyone fascinated by innovation, tech disruption, and the bold visionaries changing how we move through the world. “The Truth of the Matter goes beyond the headlines to uncover the stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths — they’re blueprints for navigating our lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons in resilience, survival and the transformative power of a single decision. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

Women who were formerly incarcerated at FCI Dublin in California are telling their stories of surviving a federal prison so notorious for sexual abuse, it was called the “rape club.” This conversation contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673. “The Truth of the Matter goes beyond the headlines to uncover the stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths — they’re blueprints for navigating our lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons in resilience, survival and the transformative power of a single decision. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

Should Kamala Harris run for president again? What does the Democratic party need to do next? And are Trump's tariffs and the growing political power of Elon Musk handing the Democrats a golden opportunity? Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” for a no-holds-barred conversation about the state of the Democratic Party — and where it needs to go next. This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about the future of American politics — and what the future holds for the Democratic Party.  “The Truth of the Matter goes beyond the headlines to uncover the stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths — they’re blueprints for navigating our lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons in resilience, survival and the transformative power of a single decision. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

In a wide-ranging conversation, Geraldo Rivera shares insights from his life and career, emphasizing the importance of hard work and the influence of his immigrant parents. Rivera discusses his experiences with celebrities, the challenges of controversial interviews, reflections on his departure from Fox News and the impact of 9/11 on his life and work. In this “Truth of the Matter” interview with host Natasha Zouves, Rivera also gets candid about his own UFO sighting and weighs in on questions about disclosure and government secrets. Rivera also discusses his complicated relationship with President Trump, his feelings about Elon Musk and his thoughts about the future of America. “The Truth of the Matter goes beyond the headlines to uncover the stories shaping our world. These stories are more than just hidden truths — they’re blueprints for navigating our lives, offering rare insights into the human experience and lessons in resilience, survival and the transformative power of a single decision. You can find “The Truth of the Matter” wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves

When Kevin Hines was 19 years old, he made the decision to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. He tells Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter,” that three miracles happened that day that allowed him to survive. Kevin shares his incredible journey of resilience, the struggles he faced, and the crucial lessons he learned about mental health and overcoming life's darkest moments. He discusses the importance of reaching out for help, and how anyone, no matter how low they feel, can rediscover their will to live. Whether you're struggling with mental health, know someone who is, or simply want to hear a powerful story of hope and recovery, this episode is a must-listen.  Tune in for a raw and transformative conversation with a true survivor who is making a difference in the world, turning his pain into purpose.   Trigger warning: suicidal ideation. If you are struggling, please call or text 988. Help is always available.   Connect with host Natasha Zouves Find out more about Kevin Hines

U.S. Army Veteran Alex Drueke was in the hands of Russian forces for 105 days, enduring beatings, broken ribs, starvation and electrocution. His is an incredible story of resilience and survival. Drueke sits down with Natasha Zouves,  describing his weeks of solitary confinement in a 2’x6’ cell, and his tactics to stay sane: playing his favorite movies in his head and speaking to the ants that would try to steal crumbs of his moldy bread, his only daily meal.   EPISODE TRIGGER WARNING: Suicidal ideation. For immediate mental health support in a crisis, you can call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org   Connect with Host Natasha Zouves.

Jay Flores was just 8 years old when he became entangled in the cartel. His father took him and his twin brother to the border to help smuggle drugs for the first time, strategically using the boys to deceive the U.S. Border Patrol. By the time the twins reached adulthood, they had built a drug-smuggling empire. The pair successfully brought the cartel’s drugs to 15 major American cities, as well as Canada, profiting $4 million a month. Flores sits down with Natasha Zouves, host of “The Truth of the Matter.”   Connect with Host Natasha Zouves

Area 51 veterans getting cancer as DOD denies they were there