Happy New Year, Robert and Sophie sit down and answer listener questions.

Happy New Year, Robert and Sophie sit down and answer listener questions.

There’s a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives. Listeners will learn about the young adult novels that helped Hitler form his monstrous ideology, the founder of Blackwater’s insane quest to build his own Air Force, the bizarre lives of the sons and daughters of dictators and Saddam Hussein’s side career as a trashy romance novelist.

There’s a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives. Listeners will learn about the young adult novels that helped Hitler form his monstrous ideology, the founder of Blackwater’s insane quest to build his own Air Force, the bizarre lives of the sons and daughters of dictators and Saddam Hussein’s side career as a trashy romance novelist.

Everything you don't know about History's greatest monsters

Behind the Bastards

Part One: Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c8e02187-0152-4c74-a437-b3d0015c03cd/transcript

In part 2, Dennis Hastert lucks his way into becoming Speaker of the House and helps Congress redefine corruption for the 21st century. And then, after his retirement, it all comes crashing down.

In part 2, Dennis Hastert lucks his way into becoming Speaker of the House and helps Congress redefine corruption for the 21st century. And then, after his retirement, it all comes crashing down.

Part Two: Dennis Hastert: The Longest-Serving Republican Speaker of the House

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b232779c-fa59-4669-b4f6-b4f801834b2e/transcript

Robert tells Miles Gray the tangled story of Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House, pioneer of congressional corruption, and pedophile.

Sources:

Prosecutors detail sex abuse allegations against Dennis Hastert | PBS News Weekend

Dennis Hastert Dies at 84: Timeline of Scandals, Controversies and Criminal Conviction - Newsweek

Uncovering the Dennis Hastert cover-up | Bloom Fudali

Former Speaker Dennis Hastert indicted - POLITICO

Hastert returns to his humble beginnings after historic career -- Daily Herald

Washingtonpost.com: Plain-Talking Hastert Poised to Be Speaker

House Speaker Dennis Hastert Can Win Friends, But Can He Influence People? - Page 9 - tribunedigital-chicagotribune

Biography of Speaker J. Dennis Hastert | Dickstein Shapiro

Ex-Yorkville school chief recalls no misconduct complaints against Hastert - Chicago Tribune

Payments by Hastert Linked to Report of Sexual Abuse - NYTimes.com

Dennis Hastert has a history of keeping secrets - Vox

Robert tells Miles Gray the tangled story of Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House, pioneer of congressional corruption, and pedophile.
Sources:
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/prosecutors-detail-sex-abuse-allegations-against-dennis-hastert" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/prosecutors-detail-sex-abuse-allegations-against-dennis-hastert&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lM1_XtSMoUMKoIXv7f7XK">Prosecutors detail sex abuse allegations against Dennis Hastert | PBS News Weekend</a>
<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/dennis-hastert-dead-speaker-controversy-scancal-wife-party-12525272" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.newsweek.com/dennis-hastert-dead-speaker-controversy-scancal-wife-party-12525272&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2s5ouSz4Pr0Yu9CYnTaplg">Dennis Hastert Dies at 84: Timeline of Scandals, Controversies and Criminal Conviction - Newsweek</a>
<a href="https://thebloomfirm.com/uncovering-the-dennis-hastert-cover-up/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebloomfirm.com/uncovering-the-dennis-hastert-cover-up/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0nWHVaNB6xHBjRy9buKzOE">Uncovering the Dennis Hastert cover-up | Bloom Fudali</a>
<a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/former-speaker-dennis-hastert-indicted-in-payment-scheme-118387" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/former-speaker-dennis-hastert-indicted-in-payment-scheme-118387&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1gInZaR_dJF3P6M7n1eqfz">Former Speaker Dennis Hastert indicted - POLITICO</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150529074836/http:/prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=139531" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529074836/http:/prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id%3D139531&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ryA7924JXmo6hN1eFPL3D">Hastert returns to his humble beginnings after historic career -- Daily Herald</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201012001008/https:/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012001008/https:/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/hastert122198.htm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Q59X2BBedzQL-zBsntdZb">Washingtonpost.com: Plain-Talking Hastert Poised to Be Speaker</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150610065908/http:/articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-04-11/features/9904110405_1_denny-yorkville-high-school-eyes/9" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610065908/http:/articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-04-11/features/9904110405_1_denny-yorkville-high-school-eyes/9&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1bLMGtJrk2HPBV1gBeFteL">House Speaker Dennis Hastert Can Win Friends, But Can He Influence People? - Page 9 - tribunedigital-chicagotribune</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150325174432/http:/www.dicksteinshapiro.com/people/speaker-j-dennis-hastert" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325174432/http:/www.dicksteinshapiro.com/people/speaker-j-dennis-hastert&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1U3iKHeWHXql-7K67n5U6x">Biography of Speaker J. Dennis Hastert | Dickstein Shapiro</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190420135857/https:/www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reaction-0530-20150529-story.html" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420135857/https:/www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-reaction-0530-20150529-story.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0HRj5i1HWw1WTgamvihA-U">Ex-Yorkville school chief recalls no misconduct complaints against Hastert - Chicago Tribune</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150529214426/http:/www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529214426/http:/www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0bHddbVpspAhChWF7jxeo9">Payments by Hastert Linked to Report of Sexual Abuse - NYTimes.com</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222226/http:/www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2015/5/29/8685775/dennis-hastert-secrets" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222226/http:/www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2015/5/29/8685775/dennis-hastert-secrets&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1793748165188000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3YI2YSFYagA9HX2GT2XaoD">Dennis Hastert has a history of keeping secrets - Vox</a>

Part One: Dennis Hastert: The Longest-Serving Republican Speaker of the House

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6fd46b37-50c8-4588-b0eb-b4f60179ae9f/transcript

Robert concludes the thrilling tale of the life of Peter Rachman by explaining how his death was used by even worse Slumlords to evade any responsibility for their crimes.

Robert concludes the thrilling tale of the life of Peter Rachman by explaining how his death was used by even worse Slumlords to evade any responsibility for their crimes.

 Part Two: Peter Rachman: King of the Slumlords

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d04073c2-aa6c-4be9-9c0d-b4f10169a17b/transcript

Part One: Behind the Bastards Q&A: 2026 Edition

In 1 playlist(s)

Behind the Bastards

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips